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REFERENCE

litter

n. · v.
US //ˈɫɪtɝ// UK //lˈɪtɐ// lit·ter
  1. 1 trash on the ground (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    trash or small pieces of waste that are left lying on the ground in public places.

    waste or debris, specifically small items of refuse discarded in public areas rather than in proper receptacles.

    Example

    The park was covered in litter after the music festival ended.

    Example

    Local authorities have increased fines for litter in an effort to maintain the cleanliness of the city's historic district.
  2. 2 group of baby animals (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a group of baby animals born to the same mother at the same time.

    the collective group of offspring produced at a single birth by a multiparous mammal.

    Example

    Our cat just had a litter of five healthy kittens.

    Example

    The vet noted that the runt of the litter was significantly smaller than its siblings but appeared otherwise healthy.
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  1. 3 pet waste material (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    absorbent material, like small stones or wood chips, used in a tray for pets to use as a toilet.

    absorbent material, such as granulated clay or wood pellets, used to line a tray for the collection of pet animal waste.

    Example

    Don't forget to buy more cat litter when you go to the supermarket.

    Example

    The new biodegradable litter is made from recycled paper and is much easier to dispose of than traditional clay-based products.
    • cat litter
  2. 4 stretcher or mobile bed (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Medicine

    a type of bed or stretcher used to carry a sick or injured person.

    a framework or stretcher used for transporting the sick or wounded; historically, a covered couch carried by people or animals.

    Example

    The injured hiker was carried down the mountain on a litter.

    Example

    The paramedics carefully secured the patient to the litter before navigating the narrow staircase of the apartment building.
  3. 5 to be scattered across (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to be spread across a surface in a messy way.

    to cover a surface with many objects scattered in a disorderly fashion; frequently used in the passive voice.

    Example

    Old toys were littered all over the playroom floor.

    Example

    The coastline was littered with debris from the shipwreck, making it difficult for rescue teams to land their boats.
Origin

From Middle English litere, lytere, etc., from Anglo-Norman litere, litiere, etc., from Old French litiere (“bedding; bed of loose straw; litter”), from Late Latin lectuāria (“bedding; blankets”), from Latin lectus (“bed; couch”) + -āria (“forming related nouns”), from Proto-Italic lektos (“[thing] lain upon”), from leɣō (“to lie down”), from Proto-Indo-European *legʰ-. Cognate with French lit and litière.

Idioms2 entries

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