handedness

[ han-did-nis ]

noun

1. a tendency to use one hand more than the other.

handedness

/ ˈhændɪdnɪs /

noun

1. the tendency to use one hand more skilfully or in preference to the other
2. the property of some chemical substances of rotating the plane of polarized light in one direction rather than another See also dextrorotation laevorotation
3. the relation between the vectors of spin and momentum of neutrinos and certain other elementary particles See also helicity

handedness

/ hăn′dĭd-nĭs /

1. A preference for using one hand rather than the other to perform most manual tasks and activities. Most people are right-handed. Historically, it has been theorized that handedness is associated with a dominance of the opposite cerebral hemisphere of the brain, but this has not been conclusively proven. Although the scientific basis for handedness is unknown, the fact that left-handed parents more frequently have left-handed offspring suggests at least a partial genetic component. Some experts believe that children are trained to favor one hand over the other (usually the right hand.). Handedness is usually established in the first few years of life.
2. See chirality

Word History and Origins

Origin of handedness¹

First recorded in 1920–25; handed + -ness

Example Sentences

Before the mid-1950s, nobody imagined that the laws of physics gave a hoot about handedness.

From Science News

Asymmetric catalysts allow manufacturers to use just one of those images, known as handedness compounds.

From Washington Post

Average spin rate in revolutions per minute by pitch type and pitcher handedness, 2017-2019For pitchers with at least 50 pitches thrown in a given season.

From FiveThirtyEight

It was associated with government heavy-handedness and viewed with disdain.

From The Daily Beast

Annoyingly, Dating Naked tiptoes into heavy-handedness as a few of its subjects start telling sob stories.

From The Daily Beast

They do not welcome the Muslim Brothers' authoritarianism, oppression and heavy handedness, and they will not put up with it.

From The Daily Beast

Deadspin ripped it for stuffiness, high-handedness, and general cluelessness.

From The Daily Beast

In contrast to the seriousness and heavy-handedness of late-era Idol, X Factor feels positively effervescent.

From The Daily Beast

Marian is delightful, with her waywardness and high-handedness; and Mrs. Owen likes originals, not feeble imitations.

From Project Gutenberg

The Vicomte laughed in his kindly way at what he was pleased to term my high-handedness.

From Project Gutenberg

Addison we know to have been a little on the hither side of open-handedness.

From Project Gutenberg

This recognition of deft-handedness, small claim on consideration as it might seem, was still a balm to the child.

From Project Gutenberg

But the partizans of Belinchon triumphed all along the line by reason of their numbers, their riches, and their open-handedness.

From Project Gutenberg