left-handed

[left-han-did] /ˈlɛftˈhæn dɪd/
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.
  1. rotating counterclockwise.
  2. 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; Middle English; see left1, handed
Related forms
left-handedly, adverb
left-handedness, noun
Examples from the web for left-handed
  • It is no more distinctive than being tall, fat or left-handed.
  • It can support either right- or left-handed clicking.
  • The one included wireless controller can be set up for right-handed or left-handed children.
  • Torsion has different outputs given left-handed versus right-handed inputs.
  • Bob plays left-handed and wears a sweatband on his left wrist and a watch on his right.
  • Of course, good left-handed relief pitching also helped.
  • He'll provide left-handed organizational depth but is unlikely to make it up to the big club.
  • Fielder would be the ideal left-handed hitter in the middle of their lineup.
British Dictionary definitions for left-handed

left-handed

adjective
1.
using the left hand with greater ease than the right
2.
performed with the left hand
3.
designed or adapted for use by the left hand
4.
worn on the left hand
5.
awkward or clumsy
6.
ironically ambiguous: a left-handed compliment
7.
turning from right to left; anticlockwise
8.
(law) another term for morganatic
adverb
9.
with the left hand
Derived Forms
left-handedly, adverb
left-handedness, noun
Word Origin and History for left-handed
adj.

late 14c., of persons; 1650s of tools, etc., from left (adj.) + handed. In 15c. it also could mean "maimed." Sense of "underhanded" is from early 17c., as in left-handed compliment (1787, also attested 1855 in pugilism slang for "a punch with the left fist"), as is that of "illicit" (e.g. left-handed marriage). Related: Left-handedly; left-handedness.

left-handed in Medicine

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

Slang definitions & phrases for left-handed

left-handed

adjective
  1. Undesirable; unlucky (1940s+ Merchant marine)
  2. Irregular; illicit; dubious: left-handed honeymoons with someone else's husband (1612+)

left-handed in the Bible

(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.