backhanded

American  

[bak-han-did] / ˈbækˌhæn dɪd /

adjective

1. performed with the hand turned backward, crosswise, or in any oblique direction so that the palm of the hand faces in the direction of the body and the back of the hand faces in the direction of forward movement.

2. sloping in a downward direction from left to right.

   backhanded writing.

3. oblique or ambiguous in meaning; indirect; insincere or malicious; wry.

   backhanded methods; a backhanded compliment.

4. Ropemaking. noting a rope in which the yarns and the strands are laid in the same direction, the rope itself being laid in the opposite direction.

---

adverb

1. with the hand across the body; backhand.

   He caught the ball backhanded.

backhanded British  

/ ˌbækˈhændɪd /

adjective

1. (of a blow, shot, stroke, etc) performed with the arm moving across the body

2. double-edged; equivocal

   a backhanded compliment

3. (of handwriting) slanting to the left

4. (of a rope) twisted in the opposite way to the normal right-handed direction

---

adverb

1. in a backhanded manner

Other Word Forms

• backhandedly adverb
• backhandedness noun

Etymology

Origin of backhanded

First recorded in 1790–1800; back ² + handed

Related Words

• sarcastic