Literal

According to the language; following the exact words. Literal construction of a document, adheres closely to the words, making no difterence for- extrinsic circumstances.

According to language; following expression in words. A literal construction of a document adheres closely to its words, without making differences for extrinsic circumstances; a literal performance of a condition is one which complies exactly with its terms.

— Literal contract. In Roman law. A species of written contract, in which the formal act by which an obligation was superinduced on the convention was an entry of the sum due, where it should be specifically ascertained, on the debit side of a ledger. Maine, Anc. Law, 320. A contract, the whole of the evidence or which is reduced to writing, and binds the party who subscribed it, although he has received no consideration. Lee. El. Dr. Rom. § 887.

— Literal proof. In the civil law. Written evidence.

According to language; following expression in words, A literal eunstruction of a document adheres closely to its words, without making differencea for extrinsic circumstances; a literal performance of a condition is one which complics exactly with its terms.

According to the words, language, or exact terms: as, a literal construction of a document, a literal perform.ance of a contract. See Liteea; Obliteea-

1. In American and English law, generally means, according to language; following expression in words. Thus a literal construction of a document is one which adheres closely to its words, without making differences for probable purpose or extrinsic circumstances; a literal performance of a condition is one which complies exactly with its terms. 2. In the civil law, literal is used in the sense of documentary; written. A literal contract is one which has been reduced to writing. Literal evidence means documentary proof.