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]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

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]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

kilter

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Kilter \Kil"ter\, n. See Kelter.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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. [Written also kilter.]

[>Colloq.]

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)