topsy-turvy

topsy-turvy
topsy-turvily, adv.topsyturviness, n.
/top"see terr"vee/, adv., adj., n., pl. topsy-turvies.
adv.
1. with the top where the bottom should be; upside down.
2. in or into a reversed condition or order.
3. in or into a state of confusion or disorder.
adj.
4. turned upside down; inverted; reversed: a topsy-turvy reflection.
5. confused or disorderly: a topsy-turvy classroom.
n.
6. inversion of the natural order.
7. a state of confusion or disorder.
[1520-30; perh. var. of top syd turvye topside down (with loss of d before t); turvy, var. of tervy, equiv. to obs. terve to turn over (c. OHG zerben) + -Y1]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Topsy-turvy — est un film britannique réalisé par Mike Leigh, sorti en 1999. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 Distinctions …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Topsy-turvy — Top sy tur vy, adv. [Earlier topside turvey, topsy tervy; probably for top so turvy; that is, the top as turvy, as it were turvy; where turvy probably means, overturned, fr. {AS}. torfian to throw.] In an inverted posture; with the top or head… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Topsy-Turvy — est un film britannique réalisé par Mike Leigh, sorti en 1999. Sommaire 1 Synopsis 2 Fiche technique 3 Distribution 4 Distinctions …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Topsy-Turvy — es un drama musical de época ambientado en el siglo pasado que narra las diferencias y rivalidades que existieron entre dos londinenses de gran creatividad: Gilbert y Sullivan. La película fue dirigida y escrita por Mike Leigh, e interpretada,… …   Wikipedia Español

  • topsy-turvy — [täp′sē tʉr′vē] adv., adj. [earlier topsy tervy, prob. < top, highest part + ME terven, to roll] 1. upside down; in a reversed condition 2. in confusion or disorder n. 1. a topsy turvy condition; inverted state 2. a state of confusion topsy… …   English World dictionary

  • topsy-turvy — 1520s, but prob. in popular use from an earlier period [OED], likely from tops, plural of TOP (Cf. top) (n.1) highest point + obsolete terve turn upside down, topple over, from O.E. tearflian to roll over, overturn, from P.Gmc. *terbanan (Cf. O.H …   Etymology dictionary

  • topsy-turvy — [adj] mixed up chaotic, cluttered, cockeyed, confused, disarranged, disheveled, disjointed, dislocated, disordered, disorderly, disorganized, downside up*, inside out, inverted, jumbled, littered, messy, muddled, overturned, pell mell*, riotous,… …   New thesaurus

  • topsy-turvy — ► ADJECTIVE & ADVERB 1) upside down. 2) in a state of confusion. ORIGIN apparently from TOP(Cf. ↑topmost) and obsolete terve «overturn» …   English terms dictionary

  • Topsy-Turvy — This article is about the 1999 film. For the Sing Along Songs video, see Disney Sing Along Songs. Infobox Film name = Topsy Turvy image size = 185px caption = DVD cover director = Mike Leigh producer = Simon Channing Williams writer = Mike Leigh… …   Wikipedia

  • Topsy-Turvy — Filmdaten Deutscher Titel Topsy Turvy Auf den Kopf gestellt Originaltitel Topsy Turvy …   Deutsch Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”