Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
holus-bolus. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
holus-bolus, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
holus-bolus in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
holus-bolus you have here. The definition of the word
holus-bolus will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
holus-bolus, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Unknown. Possibly of Ancient Greek origin, from ὅλος (hólos, “whole”) and βόλος (bólos, “a throw with a casting net”), or βῶλος (bôlos, “lump”). May have been Latinized (i.e., -us ending as in masculine singular in Latin, as opposed to -os ending for masculine singular in Greek).
Adverb
holus-bolus (not comparable)
- All together; entirely; without modification.
- to accept a story holus-bolus.
1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:I’ll take it on my shoulders, holus bolus, blame and shame, my boy; but stay here, I cannot let you. Jump! One jump, and you’re out, and we’ll run for it like antelopes.
Translations