Left-handed marriage

Left-handed marriage
Left-handed Left"-hand`ed, a. 1. Having the left hand or arm stronger and more dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right. [1913 Webster]

2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as, a left-handed compliment. [1913 Webster]

The commendations of this people are not always left-handed and detractive. --Landor. [1913 Webster]

3. Having a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch when seen in front; -- said of a twist, a rotary motion, etc., looked at from a given direction. [1913 Webster]

{Left-handed marriage}, a morganatic marriage. See {Morganatic}.

{Left-handed screw}, a screw constructed to advance away from the observer, when turned, as in a nut, with a left-handed rotation. An ordinary wood screw is right-handed. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • left-handed marriage — Morganatic Mor ga*nat ic, a. [LL. matrimonium ad morganaticam, fr. morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. morgan morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. morgengabe. See {Morn}.]… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Left-handed — Left hand ed, a. 1. Having the left hand or arm stronger and more dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right. [1913 Webster] 2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as, a left… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Left-handed screw — Left handed Left hand ed, a. 1. Having the left hand or arm stronger and more dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right. [1913 Webster] 2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • left-handed — late 14c., of persons; 1650s of tools, etc., from LEFT (Cf. left) (adj.). 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… …   Etymology dictionary

  • left-handed — 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… …   Universalium

  • left-handed — adj. 1 using the left hand by preference as more serviceable than the right. 2 (of a tool etc.) made to be used with the left hand. 3 (of a blow) struck with the left hand. 4 a turning to the left; towards the left. b (of a racecourse) turning… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Marriage — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Marriage >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 marriage marriage matrimony wedlock union intermarriage miscegenation the bonds of marriage vinculum matrimonii nuptial tie GRP: N 2 Sgm: N 2 married state married state …   English dictionary for students

  • left-handedness — noun 1. the status of being born of a morganatic marriage • Hypernyms: ↑status, ↑position 2. preference for using the left hand • Syn: ↑sinistrality • Derivationally related forms: ↑sinistral ( …   Useful english dictionary

  • Morganatic marriage — In the context of European royalty, a morganatic marriage is a marriage between people of unequal social rank, which prevents the passage of the husband s titles and privileges to the wife and any children born of the marriage. It is also known… …   Wikipedia

  • Marriage à-la-mode: 1. The Marriage Settlement — Artist William Hogarth Year 1743 Type Oil on canvas Dimensions 69.9 cm × 90.8 cm (27.5 in × 35.7 in) …   Wikipedia

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