"None of us were looking for a literal reference to the attack," Professor Young said.

Sept. 11 and its aftermath is addressed sparingly, at least as far as literal references go.

In the movie, the title of the manuscript is not visible, leaving no literal reference to the title of the movie.

Saunière had left a literal reference to the devil.

Obvious, literal references to the show's title don't appear, until viewers encounter several paintings whose subject is shipbuilding in Groton.

When used in this context, the traditional terms "infrared" and "ultraviolet" are not literal references to specific regions of the spectrum.

This is a deliberate destruction of the vision of any literal reference to the place.

Using dark wood floors and paneling, it is filled with the most literal Chinese references.

We all know it was not a literal reference.

The significance of coffee as a watercolor medium is lost on this viewer, unless it is a literal reference to the traditional morning beverage.