unmetaphorical

(Its makers, we might say, are constitutionally unmetaphorical.)

An Atheist Walks Into a Bar … 2008

(Its makers, we might say, are constitutionally unmetaphorical.)

An Atheist Walks Into a Bar … 2008

Here, then, is a fact that our Martian (but few Americans) might notice: in almost nine years of futile and brutal war in Afghanistan and more than seven years of the same in Iraq, the U.S. has filled metaphorical tower upon tower with the exceedingly unmetaphorical bodies of civilian innocents, via air attacks, checkpoint shootings, night raids, artillery and missile fire, and in some cases, the direct act of murder.

Tom Engelhardt: Whose Hands? Whose Blood? Killing Civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq 2010

Chaucer lived he must have heard this very language, matter of fact, unmetaphorical, far better fitted for narrative than for analysis, capable of religious solemnity or of broad humour, but very stiff material to put on the lips of men and women accosting each other face to face.

The Common Reader 1925

But Chaucer is very equal, very even-paced, very unmetaphorical.

The Common Reader 1925

But we shall get a clearer idea of the nature of mixed metaphor if we regard all these as violations of the following simple rule: When a live metaphor (intentional or unintentional) has once been chosen, the words grammatically connected with it must be either (a) recognizable parts of the same metaphorical idea, or one consistent with it, or (b) unmetaphorical, or dead metaphor; literal abstract nouns, for instance, instead of metaphorical concretes.

Metaphor. 1908

Nor did he perceive or describe visible things, visible effects, in their own unmetaphorical shapes and colours: not a line of description, not an adjective can be found in his works except such as may be absolutely indispensable for topographical or similar intelligibility; Alfieri obviously cared as little for beautiful sights as for beautiful sound.

The Countess of Albany Vernon Lee 1895

Its unmetaphorical use is, of course, commonest in the combination _transi de froid_, "frozen," and so suggests in the other a lover shivering actually under his mistress's shut window, or, metaphorically, under her disdain.

A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 George Saintsbury 1889

The blood was sprinkled on the altar; the blood was sprinkled on the people, which being translated into plain, unmetaphorical language is simply this, that Christ's death remains for ever present to the divine mind as the great reason and motive which modifies His government, and which ensures that His love shall ever find its way to every seeking soul.

Expositions of Holy Scripture : St. Matthew Chaps. IX to XXVIII Alexander Maclaren 1868

He 'does not know how to go to the city' -- which, being translated into plain and unmetaphorical English, is just this, that many men wreck their lives for want of a clear sight of their true aim, and of the way to secure it.

Expositions of Holy Scripture Second Kings Chapters VIII to End and Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Esther, Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes Alexander Maclaren 1868