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Definition of Helter-skelter
1. Adverb. Haphazardly. "The books were piled up helter-skelter"
2. Adjective. Lacking a visible order or organization.
3. Adjective. With undue hurry and confusion. "A pell-mell dash for the train"
Definition of Helter-skelter
1. Adverb. In confused, disorderly haste ¹
2. Adjective. Carelessly hurried and confused ¹
3. Noun. confusion or turmoil ¹
4. Noun. (British) A helical fairground slide ¹
¹ Source: wiktionary.com
Medical Definition of Helter-skelter
1. In hurry and confusion; without definite purpose; irregularly. "Helter-skelter have I rode to thee." (Shak) "A wistaria vine running helter-skelter across the roof." (J. C. Harris) Origin: An onomatpoetic word. Cf. G. Holter-polter, D. Holder de bolder. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Helter-skelter
Literary usage of Helter-skelter
Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:
1. Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War by Judith White Brockenbrough] [McGuire (1868)
"All went helter-skelter—coaches, cabriolets, barouches, buggies, flying over the
roads, as though all Fairfax were mad. " Ah, Fear! ah, frantic Fear! ..."
2. The Homes of the New World: Impressions of America by Fredrika Bremer (1853)
"A heavy shower of rain, which came on quite unexpectedly, put a sudden end to
the fete, and sent every body helter-skelter home. When at home with Mr. B., ..."
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