— 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 ) + -Y 1 ]