topsy-turvily en · ADV
Etymology
From topsy-turvy + -ly.
Meanings
-
In a topsy-turvy manner, chaotically.
You frighten me a little by the order that is all through you. Even your sins appear to have unity, whereas I keep house topsy-turvily in my innermost being.
1920, Mabel Wood Martin, chapter 7, in The Green God’s Pavilion, New York: Frederick A. Stokes, page 92:While groping her way about, Eve barked her shins against pieces of furniture that seemed to be lying topsy-turvily about.
1940, Emma Orczy, chapter 14, in Mam’zelle Guillotine, London: Hodder & Stoughton:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| most topsy-turvily | Degree=Sup | lexicographic | |
| more topsy-turvily | Degree=Cmp | lexicographic |
Translations (4)
de auf den Kopf gestellt (in a topsy-turvy manner) · de unordentlich (disorderly, chaotically) · de chaotisch (disorderly, chaotically) · es desordenadamente (disorderly, chaotically)