Litter
As a Noun
- Trash or waste scattered in public places.
- A group of baby animals born at the same time, especially cats or dogs.
- A material, such as straw or paper, used as bedding for animals.
- A stretcher or portable bed used to carry injured or sick people.
As a Verb
- To scatter or leave trash in an untidy way.
As Other Form
- Littering (Noun/Verb): The act of throwing waste in an improper place.
Word History
The word litter comes from the Old French litiere, meaning “bed or bedding,” which in turn comes from the Latin lectus (bed). Over time, it evolved to mean scattered items, particularly trash, and also referred to a group of newborn animals, as they were often born on soft bedding.
Examples
- The park was full of litter after the festival.
- The cat gave birth to a litter of four kittens.
- Please do not litter on the streets.
- Straw litter covered the floor of the horse stable.
Synonyms
Garbage, waste, trash, clutter, debris
Related Words
Mess, scattered, junk, refuse
Antonyms
Cleanliness, order, tidiness, purity
