litter
litter Lexical Profile
litter Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Rubbish, such as paper, cans, and wrappers, left lying inappropriately in an open or public place.
"Volunteers spent the morning clearing litter from the city park."
A group of young animals, such as puppies or kittens, born to a mammal at a single time.
"The rescue dog gave birth to a healthy litter of six puppies."
Absorbent material spread in a tray or cage to collect the urine and feces of household pets, especially cats.
"Don't forget to buy a fresh bag of unscented litter for the cat."
• verb
To make a place or area untidy with rubbish or a large number of objects left lying about.
"People who litter the beach with plastic bottles will face a heavy fine."
To be scattered irregularly about a place or surface.
"Discarded wrappers and old receipts littered the floor of his car."
To give birth to a group of young (especially of animals).
"The sow is expected to litter sometime early next week."
• Rhymes for litter
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'litiere' (bed, stretcher, straw), derived from Latin 'lectus' (bed). The meaning evolved from 'bedding for animals' to 'straw scattered on the ground', and eventually to 'rubbish left in public spaces'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.