holus-bolus

[ hoh-luhs-boh-luhs ]

adverb

1. all at once; altogether.

holus-bolus

/ ˈhəʊləsˈbəʊləs /

adverb

1. informal.
   all at once

Word History and Origins

Origin of holus-bolus¹

First recorded in 1840–50; mock-Latin rhyming compound based on the phrase whole bolus, or possibly a Latinization of Greek hólos bôlos “whole lump, clod of earth, nugget”; whole, bolus

Word History and Origins

Origin of holus-bolus¹

C19: pseudo-Latin based on whole bolus; see bolus

Example Sentences

Holus-bolus, hōl′us-bōl′us, adv. all at a gulp: altogether.—n. the whole.

From Project Gutenberg

His district was infested with blacks, so he plunged holus-bolus into their private affairs.

From Project Gutenberg

I'll take it on my shoulders, holus-bolus, blame and shame, my boy; but stay here, I cannot let you.

From Project Gutenberg

Holus-bolus, 'sicut examen apum,' ye decamp at the word of a single foe!

From Project Gutenberg

Each train was unloaded as it arrived and its contents thrown holus-bolus into one of the holds, except for the wheeled vehicles.

From Project Gutenberg