sinistral (2009-04-16)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [si-'nis-trêl or 'si-ni-strêl]

Definition: Pertaining to or facing the left side; left-handed.

Usage: Keep in mind that "sinistral" and "dextral" refer to a particular side of an object, not the side of the person looking at it. The sinistral side is that side of an object when you are facing in the same direction as the object. "That unmotivated nebbish, Pierre LePoupe, could never climb the sinistral face of Mount Mukkimuck," refers to your right side as you look at the mountain from the approach. Of course, you may also use today's word as a noun, "Mazel Toffe is the most dexterous sinistral I have ever heard play a violin."

Suggested Usage: Today's word may also be used as a noun to refer to left-handers: "She wore her watch on her right wrist like most sinistrals." The antonym of "sinistral" is dextral "pertaining to or facing right." "Sinistrally" is the adverb and "sinistrality," the noun from today's word. There is also a noun sinistration "turning to the left" which implies a verb "sinistrate." Some other day we will have to examine "southpaw," a peculiar phrase referring to sinistrals who climb the mound in baseball.

Etymology: Latin sinister "left-handed, unlucky" (also French sinistre, Italian sinistro, and Spanish siniestro) + suffix -al. "Sinistral" has been spared the sinister turn taken by other forms of this root, seen in bar sinister "evidence of illegal birth," "sinister clouds," and so on. Satan is taken by many to be left-handed and many cultures reflect a dark suspicion of sinistrals that do not pitch. This usage is in flagrant contrast with the meanings of the antonym dexter "right side": "dexterous," "dexterity," "ambidextrous," "dextr(ogluc)ose."