Helter-skelter

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Helter-skelter \Hel"ter-skel"ter\, adv. [An onomat?poetic word.
     Cf. G. holter-polter, D. holder de bolder.]
     In hurry and confusion; without definite purpose;
     irregularly. [Colloq.]
     [1913 Webster]
  


           Helter-skelter have I rode to thee.      --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           A wistaria vine running helter-skelter across the roof.
                                                    --J. C.
                                                    Harris.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  helter-skelter
       adj 1: lacking a visible order or organization [syn: {chaotic}]
       2: with undue hurry and confusion; "a helter-skelter kind of
          existence with never a pause"; "a pell-mell dash for the
          train" [syn: {pell-mell}]
       adv : haphazardly; "the books were piled up helter-skelter" [syn:
             {every which way}]