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⬅️ On the left side ✋ Left-handed
sinistral

sinistral

1 9.9
On the left side of animals or objects, for example a flatfish
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɪnɪstrəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : sinistral
  • Researchers noted the sinistral dominance in the arrangement of the specimen's body.

Examples

  • The sinistral coiling of the shell makes this snail species easily identifiable.

  • The sinistral orientation of the snail's shell is fascinating.

  • A sinistral flatfish has both eyes on its left side.

  • In anatomy, a sinistral structure can indicate a congenital condition.

  • In certain species of snails, the sinistral shell coiling indicates a left-handed orientation.

  • The sinistral position of the heart in some individuals is a rare anatomical condition.

  • Researchers noted that the sinistral orientation of the limbs affected the animal's movement patterns.

Synonyms

left
vssinistral
∞ 1.0

The side of the body opposite the right

is a technical adjective for features on the side opposite the right in science
left-hand
vssinistral
18 1.0

On the left side of something

is the technical term used mainly in scientific anatomy and zoology

Antonyms

dextral
  • Specialized
1 8.8

On the right side or turning to the right, like a shell

How Right-Sided

dextral
  • Specialized
1 8.8
bilateral
2 5.7
sinistral
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Surface Forms

sinistral positive

Morphology

sinistral = sinister (opaque) = sinistr + al

Although formed by a regular suffixation of the Latin combining element sinistr- + -al, modern English 'sinister' commonly means 'evil/ominous', so learners who know 'sinister' are unlikely to infer 'left-sided' from it.

Etymology

Sinistral comes from the Latin sinister, which means 'left'. In science it describes something on the left side, for example a snail whose shell turns to the left is called sinistral.