Atilt: meaning, definitions and examples
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atilt
[ əˈtɪlt ]
position or angle
The term 'atilt' refers to a position or orientation that is inclined or tilted from the vertical or horizontal position. It is often used to describe objects, structures, or situations that are not standing straight but are instead leaning or slanted. For example, a painting that is hanging askew on the wall can be described as being atilt. While less commonly used in everyday conversation, it can add nuance to descriptions of physical placements.
Synonyms
askew, inclined, slanted, tilted.
Examples of usage
- The picture on the wall was atilt.
- He stood atilt to get a better view.
- The flag was atilt in the wind.
- Her hat was atilt after the breeze.
- The tower appeared atilt after the earthquake.
Translations
Translations of the word "atilt" in other languages:
🇵🇹 inclinado
🇮🇳 झुका हुआ
🇩🇪 geneigt
🇮🇩 miring
🇺🇦 нахилений
🇵🇱 pochylony
🇯🇵 傾斜した
🇫🇷 incliné
🇪🇸 inclinado
🇹🇷 eğik
🇰🇷 기울어진
🇸🇦 مائل
🇨🇿 nakloněný
🇸🇰 naklonený
🇨🇳 倾斜的
🇸🇮 nagnjen
🇮🇸 hallandi
🇰🇿 қисаюшы
🇬🇪 წახება
🇦🇿 meylənmiş
🇲🇽 inclinada
Etymology
The word 'atilt' originates from Middle English and is derived from the prefix 'a-' which means 'in a state of' or 'on' combined with 'tilt', which comes from the Old English word 'tyltan', meaning 'to lean' or 'to incline'. Historically, the concept of tilting has been associated with physical posture, especially in context with objects that are not placed upright. The evolution of its usage has seen 'atilt' being used metaphorically as well, to describe things that are metaphorically slanted or biased. Over time, the word has remained relatively obscure and is primarily used in literary or descriptive contexts, capturing a state of imbalance or non-verticality.