litter

Everyday

1. Litter is rubbish like paper, cans and wrappers left lying on the ground in a public place. tree →
2. A litter is a group of baby animals born to one mother at the same time. tree →
3. Cat litter is the material in a tray that a cat uses as a toilet. tree →
4. To litter is to drop rubbish on the ground, or to be spread untidily over a place. tree →
5. A litter is a bed or chair carried on poles by people, used in the past to carry someone. tree →

In the lessons

In lessons on the environment, litter harms wildlife (animals get trapped or eat plastic) and makes places dirty; put rubbish in a bin or take it home. In science, mammals like cats, dogs and rabbits have litters. In pet care, change cat litter often and wash hands after. Phrases: drop litter, litter bin, litter picking, a litter of puppies, litter tray.

Examples

• Please don't drop litter in the park. tree →
• Our class went litter picking on the beach. tree →
• The dog had a litter of six puppies. tree →
• Put your wrapper in the litter bin. tree →
• Clean the cat's litter tray every day. tree →
• Toys littered the bedroom floor. tree →
• In the meantime the Princess Cabbage-Stalk had reached the palace, travelling in a litter. tree →

Note

"Litter" (rubbish) is uncountable: some litter, a lot of litter. "A litter" (babies) is countable. Dropping litter can bring a fine in many places. Pregnant women should not clean cat litter because of germs.

In Jewish tradition

It is Solomon's carrying couch in the Song of Songs, guarded by sixty brave men.

Interpretation. Commentators read the bed as the Tabernacle or Temple, and the sixty guards as the priests blessing Israel with the priestly blessing.

Examples

• Behold, it is the litter of Solomon; threescore mighty men are about it, of the mighty men of Israel. (Writings SNG.3.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

"Litter" (rubbish) is uncountable: some litter, a lot of litter. "A litter" (babies) is countable. Dropping litter can bring a fine in many places. Pregnant women should not clean cat litter because of germs.