Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - literate

 I. adjective  Etymology: Middle English literat, from Latin litteratus marked with letters, ~, from litterae letters, literature, from plural of littera  Date: 15th century  1.  a. educated, cultured  b. able to read and write  2.  a. versed in literature or creative writing ; literary  b. lucid, polished a ~ essay  c. having knowledge or competence computer-~ politically ~  • ~ly adverb  • ~ness noun  II. noun  Date: circa 1550  1. an educated person  2. a person who can read and write