I. ˈleft adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, weak; akin to Middle Low German lucht left; from the left hand's being the weaker in most individuals
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body in which the heart is mostly located
b. : done with the left hand
a left hook to the jaw
c. : located nearer to the left hand than to the right
d.
(1) : located on the left of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified
stage left
(2) : located on the left when facing downstream
the left bank of a river
2. often capitalized : of, adhering to, or constituted by the left especially in politics
• left adverb
II. noun
Date: 13th century
1.
a. : the left hand
b. : the location or direction of the left side
c. : the part on the left side
d. : a turn to the left
take a left at the intersection
2.
a. : left field
b. : a blow struck with the left fist
3. often capitalized
a. : the part of a legislative chamber located to the left of the presiding officer
b. : the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the left as a result of holding more radical political views than other members
4. often capitalized
a. : those professing views usually characterized by desire to reform or overthrow the established order especially in politics and usually advocating change in the name of the greater freedom or well-being of the common man
b. : a radical as distinguished from a conservative position
• left·most ˈleft-ˌmōst noun
III.
past and past participle of leave