litter

Definition

  • noun: things that have been thrown away and that are lying on the ground in a public place
  • noun: a covered and curtained couch provided with shafts and used for carrying a single passenger
  • verb: to cover (a surface) with many things in an untidy way
  • verb: to give birth to a litter of (young)
  • often used figuratively in the phrase 'the pick of the litter'
  • synonyms: bear, palanquin, sedan chair

Examples

  • Dirty words 'litter' his vocabulary. [=his vocabulary includes many dirty words; he says a lot of dirty words]

  • ('chiefly US') a 'litter box' = ('Brit') a 'litter tray' [=a container holding litter for a cat]

  • Of all the cars on the market, this one is clearly 'the pick of the litter'. [=the best one]

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) You will And if they die, you will bury them yourselves. What about you? I'm not a Stark. Get on. What is it? The runt of the litter-- that one's yours, snow. As your brother, I feel it's my duty to warn you: You worry too much. - It's starting to show. - And you never worry about anything. (..)
    2011 TvShow: Game of Thrones Title: Winter Is Coming Season: 1 Episode 1
  • (..) It's great that we'll soon be connected. With a king who'll be all-time adored. Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected To take certain duties on board The future is littered with prizes And though I'm the main addressee The point that I must emphasize is You won't get a sniff without me! (..)
    1994 The Lion King
  • (..) We're feet from the main sewer line. -And the bad news? -We've broken our last shovel. Right. Rico, you're on litter patrol. We need shovels. And find more Popsicle sticks. We don't want to risk another cave-in. And me, Skipper? I want you (..)
    2005 Madagascar