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Glite Dictionary
sinistrorse

sinistrorse

9.9
A stem or vine that twists upward from right to left
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɪnɪˈstrɔrs/
  • Specialized
: sinistrorso
  • Some morning glory varieties have sinistrorse stems that twine upward from right to left.

Examples

  • Is this plant sinistrorse or dextrorse?

  • The botanist explained how sinistrorse twining distinguishes certain species of vines.

  • It can be fascinating to observe the sinistrorse growth patterns on these climbing plants.

  • The sinistrorse vine climbed the trellis beautifully.

  • Some morning glory varieties have sinistrorse stems that twine upward from right to left.

  • It can be fascinating to observe the sinistrorse growth patterns on these climbing plants.

  • The botanist explained how sinistrorse twining distinguishes certain species of vines.

Synonyms

sinistral
vssinistrorse
  • Specialized
1 9.9

On the left side of animals or objects, for example a flatfish

is narrower, denoting an actual upward leftward spiral rather than general left side
sinistrorsal
vssinistrorse
  • Specialized
9.9

A spiral that turns upward from right to left like some vines or shells

is the botanical term for the specific upward right to left spiral

Antonyms

dextrorse
  • Specialized
9.9

Twisting upward from left to right, especially in plant stems seen from below

Surface Forms

sinistrorse positive

Morphology

sinistrorse = sinister (semi-transparent) = sinistr + orse

The 'sinistr-' element is recognizably related to 'sinister' (left), but the suffix '-orse' is a rare technical/formal element and the construction is specialized botanical vocabulary not obvious to general learners.

Etymology

The word sinistrorse comes from the Latin root sinistr- meaning 'left', the same root as sinister, and the ending -orse that shows a turning movement. So sinistrorse literally means 'turned to the left' and describes stems or vines that spiral upward from right to left.