helter-skelter

2 definitions found

helter-skelter - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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]

helter-skelter - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

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