adjective
sinister
On or toward the left side in heraldry or anatomy.
The heraldic shield places the symbol on the sinister side.
Etymology
The Latin word directly means left. Heraldry and anatomy preserve that neutral directional sense alongside the later unfavorable associations.
More examples
- The diagram marked the sinister position.
- They distinguished dexter from sinister.
- The emblem leaned toward the sinister edge.
Forms
sinister
Similar words
- left
- The ordinary positional word rather than a technical label.
- dexter
- The opposite heraldic side, from the bearer's perspective.