LEFT-HANDED


Meaning of LEFT-HANDED in English

— left-handedly , adv. — left-handedness , n.

/left"han"did/ , adj.

1. having the left hand more dominant or effective than the right; preferably using the left hand: a left-handed pitcher.

2. adapted to or performed by the left hand: a left-handed tool; a left-handed tennis serve.

3. situated on the side of the left hand.

4. Mach.

a. rotating counterclockwise.

b. noting a helical or spiral member, as a gear tooth or screw thread, that twists counterclockwise as it recedes from an observer.

5. Building Trades. left-hand (def. 3).

6. ambiguous or doubtful and often unfavorable or derogatory by implication: a left-handed compliment.

7. clumsy or awkward.

8. of, pertaining to, or issuing from a morganatic marriage: so called from the custom, in morganatic marriage ceremonies, of having the bridegroom give his left hand to the bride.

adv.

9. with the left hand: He writes left-handed.

10. toward the left hand; in a counterclockwise direction: The strands of the rope are laid left-handed.

[ 1350-1400; ME; see LEFT 1 , HANDED ]

Random House Webster's Unabridged English dictionary.      Полный английский словарь Вебстер - Random House .