hel|ter-skel|ter

hel|ter-skel|ter
hel|ter-skel|ter «HEHL tuhr SKEHL tuhr», adverb, adjective, noun.
–adv.
with headlong, disorderly haste; pell-mell: »

The children ran helter-skelter when the dog rushed at them.

–adj.
carelessly hurried; disorderly; confused: »

This helter-skelter way of doing business is costly to the Government and burdensome to the tax payer (Wall Street Journal).

 SYNONYM(S): precipitate.
–n.
1. noisy and disorderly haste, confusion, etc.
2. a helter-skelter action or deed: »

such a helter-skelter of prayers and sins (Longfellow).

3. Especially British. a kind of spiral slide at an amusement park or fairground.
╂[perhaps imitative rhyme]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • ter — ter; ter·a·con·ic; ter·a·cryl·ic; ter·a·glin; ter·aph; ter·as; ter·a·tism; ter·a·to·genesis; ter·a·to·gen·ic; ter·a·to·log·i·cal; ter·a·tol·o·gist; ter·a·tol·o·gy; ter·a·to·ma; ter·a·to·sis; ter·bi·um; ter·centennial; ter·centesimal; ter·ce·ron;… …   English syllables

  • ter-skel — hel·ter skel·ter; …   English syllables

  • hel — an·glo·hel·ve·ti·um; asc·hel·min·thes; coel·hel·minth; coel·hel·min·thes; hel·arc·tos; hel·beh; hel·den·tenor; hel·e·na; hel·e·nalin; hel·en; hel·e·och·a·ris; hel·eo·plankton; hel·e·pole; hel·i·chryse; hel·i·chry·sum; hel·i·ci·na; hel·i·cline;… …   English syllables

  • helter-skelter — hel|ter skel|ter1 [ ,heltər skeltər ] adjective, adverb in a hurry and without planning or organization helter skelter hel|ter skel|ter 2 [ ,heltər skeltər ] noun uncount a confusing situation in which things are not organized or are happening… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • helter-skelter — hel·ter skel·ter …   English syllables

  • helter-skelter — hel•ter skel•ter [[t]ˈhɛl tərˈskɛl tər[/t]] adv. 1) in headlong and disorderly haste 2) in a haphazard manner; without regard for order: clothes scattered helter skelter[/ex] 3) carelessly hurried 4) disorderly; haphazard 5) tumultuous disorder;… …   From formal English to slang

  • helter-skelter — hel|ter skel|ter1 [ˌheltə ˈskeltə US ˌheltər ˈskeltər] adv done quickly, in a disorganized way ▪ He ran helter skelter down the slope. helter skelter 2 helter skelter2 n BrE a tall structure in a ↑fairground which you sit on at the top and slide… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • helter-skelteriness — helˈter skelˈteriness noun • • • Main Entry: ↑helter skelter …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • -dac·ty·lous; — ab·i·e·tate; ab·i·e·tene; abio·gen·e·sis; abi·og·e·nist; abra·si·om·e·ter; ab·sorp·ti·om·e·ter; aca·cat·e·chin; ac·ac·e·tin; acad·e·mist; acad·e·my; ac·cel·er·om·e·ter; ac·e·tab·u·lar; ac·e·tab·u·lar·ia; ac·e·tab·u·late; ac·e·tab·u·lif·era;… …   English syllables

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