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left-handed

 - 5 dictionary results

left-hand⋅ed

[left-han-did]
–adjective
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. Machinery.
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.
–adverb
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.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME; see left 1 , handed


left-hand⋅ed⋅ly, adverb
left-hand⋅ed⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To left-handed
left-hand·ed   (lěft'hān'dĭd)
adj.  
    1. Using the left hand more skillfully or easily than the right.

    2. Sports Swinging from left to right: a left-handed batter; a left-handed golfer.

    3. Done with the left hand.

    4. Intended for wear on or use by the left hand: left-handed scissors.

    5. Turning or spiraling from right to left; counterclockwise.

    6. Rotating counterclockwise; levorotatory.

    1. Done with the left hand.

    2. Intended for wear on or use by the left hand: left-handed scissors.

    3. Turning or spiraling from right to left; counterclockwise.

    4. Rotating counterclockwise; levorotatory.

  1. Awkward; maladroit.

  2. Of doubtful sincerity; dubious: left-handed flattery; a left-handed compliment.

  3. Of, relating to, or born of a morganatic marriage.

    1. Turning or spiraling from right to left; counterclockwise.

    2. Rotating counterclockwise; levorotatory.

adv.  
  1. With the left hand.

  2. Sports From the left to the right: swings left-handed.

left'-hand'ed·ly adv., left'-hand'ed·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: left–hand·ed
Pronunciation: 'left-'han-d&d, 'lef-'tan-
Function: adjective
1 : using the left hand habitually or moreeasily than the right
2 : relating to, designed for, or done with the left hand
3 : having a direction contrary to that of movement of the hands of a watchviewed from in front
4 : LEVOROTATORYleft–handed adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

left-handed adj.
Using the left hand more skillfully or easily than the right.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Bible Dictionary

Left-handed

(Judg. 3:15; 20:16), one unable to use the right hand skilfully, and who therefore uses the left; and also one who uses the left as well as the right, ambidexter. Such a condition of the hands is due to physical causes. This quality was common apparently in the tribe of Benjamin.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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