sinistral

[ sin-uh-struhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or on the left side; left ( dextral ).
2. left-handed.
3. (of certain gastropod shells) coiling counterclockwise, as seen from the apex.

sinistral

/ ˈsɪnɪstrəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or located on the left side, esp the left side of the body
2. a technical term for left-handed
3. (of the shells of certain gastropod molluscs) coiling in a clockwise direction from the apex

Derived Forms

• ˈsinistrally, adverb

Other Words From

• sinis·tral·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of sinistral¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word sinistrālis. See sinister, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of sinistral¹

C15 (in the obsolete sense: adverse, evil); C19 (in current senses): from Medieval Latin sinistrālis. See sinister

Example Sentences

A genus of minute land shells, resembling Vertigo, but separated because they are dextral, while Vertigo is sinistral.

From Project Gutenberg

Dextral animals, with shell coiled pseudo-sinistrally; operculum with sinistral spiral; pallial cavity dorsal.

From Project Gutenberg

Shell bulimoid, dextral or sinistral; radular teeth, expanded at their extremities and multicuspidate.

From Project Gutenberg

Visceral mass and shell sinistral; inferior pallial lobe very prominent, and transformed into a branchia.

From Project Gutenberg

If we were very fortunate, we might find a sinistral, or “left-handed” specimen.

From Project Gutenberg