in a literal sense vs in the literal sense

[Alexey86]

1. That's true, in the literal sense that Supreme Court decisions apply to the states.
(The New York Times)
2. In the literal sense, as well as the hyperbolic, Muse are exceptional.
(Independent)


3. In a literal sense, Danny Almonte has been defrauded by his father, Felipe de Jesús Almonte.
(The new York Times)
4. I employed the word "fat" in a literal sense, not as a term of abuse.
(The Guardian - Lifestyle)

Is there any difference in meaning between the definite and the indefinite variants?

 

[teechar]

No difference. They both mean literally speaking.

 

[Alexey86]

No difference. They both mean literally speaking.

Isn't using the more logical since usually there is only one literal sense?

 

[GoesStation]

Isn't using the more logical since usually there is only one literal sense?

No. Many words have multiple meanings.

 

[Alexey86]

No. Many words have multiple meanings.

But this leads me to the conclusion that a would be more logical.

 

[GoesStation]

But this leads me to the conclusion that a/an would be more logical.

I'd probably use the definite article. I wouldn't tend to consider the many possible meanings of the word.