akilter

adjective

akil·​ter ə-ˈkil-tər 

: out of balance or alignment : off-kilter

His lackluster brown eyes were sunk in his skull and his right eye was slanted enough to look akilter and borrowed and slapdash.

—Ron Hansen, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, 1983

Word History

Etymology

a- entry 1 (perhaps taken as reduction of off entry 2) + kilter

First Known Use

1906, in the meaning defined above

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now