litter Hear it!

Jump To: synonymsSynonyms · examplesUsage Examples · linkLink/Cite
Also found in: medicalAH Medical Dictionary
litter definition

lit·ter (lit′ər)

noun

  1. a framework having long horizontal shafts near the bottom and enclosing a couch on which a person can be carried
  2. a stretcher for carrying the sick or wounded
  3. straw, hay, leaves, etc. used as bedding for animals, as a protective covering for plants, etc.
  4. a kind of granular clay used in an indoor receptacle (litter box) to absorb the waste of domestic cats
  5. the young borne at one time by a dog, cat, or other animal which normally bears several young at a delivery
  6. things lying about in disorder, esp., bits of rubbish scattered about
  7. untidiness; disorder
  8. Forestry the surface layer of the forest floor, in which the leaves are slightly decomposed

Etymology: ME litere < OFr litiere < ML literia, lectaria < L lectus, a couch: see lie

transitive verb

  1. to supply with a bed, covering, etc. of straw, hay, or the like
  2. to bring forth (a number of young) at one time: said of certain animals
  3. to make messy with things scattered about
  4. to scatter about carelessly

intransitive verb

to bear a litter of young

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

medical litter definition - medical

litter Synonyms

litter

n.

  1. A mess

    scattering, jumble, hodgepodge; see rash 1, 3.

  2. The young of certain animals

    cubs, pigs, piglets, puppies, kittens; see also offspring.


litter

v.

scatter, confuse, jumble; see dirty.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

litter Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • strew: Finally we wish to thank Bob Everly, local beach warden, without whom Sand Bay would be litter strewn.

Adjective modifier

  • unsightly: Remove unsightly litter on the way round the walk.

Modifies a noun

  • tray: Do not place the litter tray near the bed or food.

Noun used with modifier

  • kitty: For larger amounts, mix in kitty litter or pour one-inch layers of paint in a cardboard box lined with a plastic bag.

Preposition: of

  • kitten: We are currently waiting for our first litter of kittens to arrive!

Preposition: with

  • corps: For, so I am told, all those plains and hills were littered only with the prostrate corpses of our loathsome enemies.
litter usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"litter." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/litter>

APA Style

litter. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/litter

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment