LITTER Meaning and
Definition
-
Litter is a noun that refers to waste materials, typically made of discarded items that are thrown away or left inappropriately in public spaces. It encompasses various types of trash such as paper, plastic, glass, metal objects, food wrappers, and cigarette butts. Litter can be found scattered on streets, sidewalks, parks, beaches, or any area where people frequent.
In a broader sense, litter can also include objects that are intentionally abandoned, neglected, or improperly stored, contributing to a cluttered or messy environment. For instance, in a household, a disorganized or untidy space with scattered or misplaced items can be referred to as littered.
Furthermore, litter can be a verb, describing the act of throwing trash or discarding items carelessly in an inappropriate place. It represents a negative behavior that leads to the pollution and degradation of the environment, posing threats to wildlife, ecosystems, and human health.
Efforts to combat litter include public awareness campaigns, enforcement of fines or penalties for littering, installation of waste bins in public areas for convenient disposal, and initiatives promoting recycling. Cleaning up litter, either through organized community events or regular maintenance, is also vital in preserving the cleanliness and aesthetic appeal of public spaces.
-
A stretcher or portable couch for moving the sick or wounded.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
-
• Straw, hay, and suchlike, used as a bed for horses, &c.; a framework supporting a sort of bed which may be borne by men or a horse; a brood of young pigs, kittens, &c.; things strewed about in confusion; a condition of disorder or confusion.
• To bring forth, as small quadrupeds; to cover or supply with straw or litter.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for LITTER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for LITTER
Etymology of LITTER
The word "litter" can be traced back to Middle English and Old French. In Middle English, it was spelled as "litere" and in Old French as "litere" or "litiere". These forms were derived from the Latin word "lectus", which means "bed" or "couch". The Latin word ultimately came from the verb "legere", meaning "to pick up" or "to choose". The term "litter" originally referred to a bed or couch carrying a person of importance, and over time, its meaning expanded to include a vehicle or portable bed used to transport people or goods. Later, it developed a specific sense of a vehicle or carrying device used for transporting injured or disabled people or carrying refuse. Eventually, "litter" also came to refer to the waste or trash that may be strewn about or improperly disposed of, which is the most common usage of the word today.
Idioms with the word LITTER
-
runt of the litter
The idiom "runt of the litter" refers to the smallest, weakest, or least healthy individual among a group or siblings. It is often used metaphorically to describe someone who is perceived as less capable or successful than others in a particular group or category.
-
litter about
The idiom "litter about" means to spread or scatter objects or items in a disorderly or careless manner. It refers to the act of leaving things in a messy or untidy state, often creating clutter or disorder.
-
litter sth up
To "litter something up" means to make a place or area messy or cluttered by leaving trash, objects, or items in a disorganized manner. It implies the act of scattering or leaving things in a disorderly or untidy way, leading to the degradation of the space's cleanliness or aesthetic appeal.
-
litter sth about
The idiom "litter sth about" means to scatter or spread something randomly and disorderly in various places, causing a messy or untidy environment. It implies the act of leaving things in an unorganized manner, often creating clutter or disarray.
-
the pick of the litter
The idiom "the pick of the litter" refers to selecting or choosing the best or most desirable item or individual from a group or selection. It typically implies that the chosen item or individual stands out in terms of quality, talent, or other desirable attributes, similar to how the best puppy in a litter might be selected.
-
litter something about
The phrase "litter something about" means to scatter or spread something randomly or haphazardly in various places. It implies a lack of order or organization in the placement of objects or things.
-
litter something up
The idiom "litter something up" means to make a place or an area messy or untidy by scattering or spreading items or objects randomly and without organization. It refers to adding clutter or disorder to a previously clean and neat space.
-
pick of the litter
The idiom "pick of the litter" refers to the best or highest quality among a group of things or people. It originally comes from the context of choosing a puppy from a litter of newborn dogs, where one picks the best, most desirable one. In a broader sense, it can be used to describe the top choice or the cream of the crop in any given situation.
Similar spelling words for LITTER
- glitter,
- bitter,
- liter,
- looter,
- latter,
- litre,
- letter,
- lidar,
- lighter,
- littler,
- lottery,
- hitter,
- littre,
- later,
- loiter,
- fitter.
Conjugate verb Litter
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have littered
you
would have littered
he/she/it
would have littered
we
would have littered
they
would have littered
I
would have litter
you
would have litter
he/she/it
would have litter
we
would have litter
they
would have litter
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been littering
you
would have been littering
he/she/it
would have been littering
we
would have been littering
they
would have been littering
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would litter
you
would litter
he/she/it
would litter
we
would litter
they
would litter
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be littering
you
would be littering
he/she/it
would be littering
we
would be littering
they
would be littering
FUTURE
I
will litter
you
will litter
he/she/it
will litter
we
will litter
they
will litter
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be littering
you
will be littering
he/she/it
will be littering
we
will be littering
they
will be littering
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have littered
you
will have littered
he/she/it
will have littered
we
will have littered
they
will have littered
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been littering
you
will have been littering
he/she/it
will have been littering
we
will have been littering
they
will have been littering
IMPERATIVE
you
litter
we
let´s litter
to litter
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was littering
you
were littering
he/she/it
was littering
we
were littering
they
were littering
PAST PARTICIPLE
littered
PAST PERFECT
I
had littered
you
had littered
he/she/it
had littered
we
had littered
they
had littered
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been littering
you
had been littering
he/she/it
had been littering
we
had been littering
they
had been littering
PRESENT
I
litter
you
litter
he/she/it
litters
we
litter
they
litter
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am littering
you
are littering
he/she/it
is littering
we
are littering
they
are littering
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
littering
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have littered
you
have littered
he/she/it
has littered
we
have littered
they
have littered
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been littering
you
have been littering
he/she/it
has been littering
we
have been littering
they
have been littering
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
litter
SIMPLE PAST
I
littered
you
littered
he/she/it
littered
we
littered
they
littered
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
