semi-illiterate

adjective

1. unable to read and write: an illiterate group.
2. having or demonstrating very little or no education.
3. showing lack of culture, especially in language and literature.
4. displaying a marked lack of knowledge in a particular field: He is musically illiterate.

noun

5. an illiterate person.

adjective

1. unable to read and write
2. violating accepted standards in reading and writingan illiterate scrawl
3. uneducated, ignorant, or unculturedscientifically illiterate

noun

4. an illiterate person

adj.early 15c., “uneducated, unable to read (originally of Latin),” from Latin illiteratus “unlearned, unlettered, ignorant; without culture, inelegant,” from assimilated form of in- “not, opposite of” (see in- (1)) + literatus, literally “furnished with letters” (see literate). As a noun meaning “illiterate person” from 1620s. Hence, illiterati (1788).