■ noun
1》 rubbish left in public.
↘a collection of things lying about untidily.
2》 a number of young born to an animal at one time.
3》 (also cat ~ ) granular absorbent material lining a tray for a cat to urinate and defecate in indoors.
4》 straw or other plant matter used as animal bedding.
5》 (also leaf ~ ) decomposing leaves and other matter forming a layer on top of soil.
6》 historical a vehicle containing a bed or seat enclosed by curtains and carried by men or animals.
↘a framework with a couch for transporting the sick.
■ verb
1》 make untidy with ~.
↘leave (rubbish or objects) lying about untidily.
2》 archaic provide (an animal) with ~ as bedding.
Origin
ME (in sense 6): from OFr. litiere , from med. L. lectaria , from L. lectus 'bed'.