Final answer:
Denotation is the literal meaning of a word, devoid of personal or emotional associations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The definition of denotation in the context of language and literature refers to the literal meaning of a word. It is the objective, dictionary definition of a word, independent of any personal or emotional associations. For example, the denotation of the word 'dog' is a domesticated carnivorous mammal.
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