Adverb and Adjective
/əˈtɪlt/
The term "atilt" means to lean or tilt in a particular direction, often suggesting that something is off balance or not positioned upright. It is not overly common in everyday conversation but is often found in literary contexts or descriptions related to positioning. Its usage frequency is moderate — it appears more frequently in written contexts, such as in literature or formal descriptions, rather than in casual oral speech.
The picture hung atilt on the wall, giving the room a quirky charm.
(El cuadro colgaba inclinado en la pared, dándole a la habitación un encanto peculiar.)
After the storm, the old tree stood atilt, its roots exposed and precarious.
(Después de la tormenta, el viejo árbol se mantuvo inclinado, con sus raíces expuestas y precarias.)
He noticed the flag was flying atilt, a sign that the wind was stronger than usual.
(Se dio cuenta de que la bandera volaba inclinada, una señal de que el viento era más fuerte de lo habitual.)
The word "atilt" is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions; however, it can be featured in phrases dealing with imbalance or distortion. Below are a few example sentences that incorporate related ideas:
The plans for the project have gone a bit atilt, needing some realignment.
(Los planes para el proyecto se han desviado un poco, necesitando un realineamiento.)
His thoughts were atilt after the unexpected news, making it hard for him to concentrate.
(Sus pensamientos estaban desordenados después de la noticia inesperada, lo que le dificultaba concentrarse.)
With her emotions atilt, she wasn't sure how to respond to the situation.
(Con sus emociones desordenadas, no estaba segura de cómo responder a la situación.)
The word "atilt" is derived from the prefix "a-" (from Old English and Middle English indicating a state or condition) and the word "tilt," which comes from the Old French "tilter" meaning "to incline" or "to lean." The combination emphasizes the action of being tilted or placed at an angle.