kilter

kilter
    n 1: in working order; "out of kilter"; "in good kilter" [syn:
         {kilter}, {kelter}]
    

Kelter \Kel"ter\, n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. cealt clothes, Gael.
   cealltair spear, castle, cause, Prov. E. kilter tool,
   instrument. Cf. {Kilt}.]
   Regular order or proper condition. [Usually written {kilter}
   in th U. S.] [Colloq., chiefly British spelling]
   [1913 Webster]

         If the organs of prayer be out of kelter or out of
         tune, how can we pray?                   --Barrow.
   [1913 Webster]
    

kilter \kil"ter\ (k[i^]l"t[~e]r), n. [Cf. Gael. & Ir. cealt
   clothes, Gael. cealltair spear, castle, cause, Prov. E.
   kilter tool, instrument. Cf. {Kilt}.]
   Regular order or proper condition. Same as {kelter}, but
   {kilter} is the more common spelling in the U. S. Used
   chiefly in the phrase out of kilter, meaning out of order or
   irregular in some manner. [Also spelled {kelter}.]
   [1913 Webster +PJC]