sinistral (sinistral)

[L. sinister, left, + -al.] 1. Of or pertaining to the left side; situated on the left hand; not dextral; sinister; sinistrous.-2. In conch., reversed from the usual, right, or dextral curve, as the whorls of a spiral shell; whorled toward the left; sinistrorse; heterostrophous. The genus Physa is an example. Some species, genera, etc., of shells are normally sinistral. In some other cases, specimens of shells are sinistral as an individual peculiarity, as in the case cited under chank2. See cuts under reverse and Physa. 3. In ichth., having both eyes on the left side of the head, as certain flatfishes. - 4t. Sinister; wrong. They gather their sinistral opinion, as I hear say, of St. Paul to the Hebrews. Becon , Works, p. 95. ( Hall i well . ) sinistrality (sin-is-tral'i-ti), n. [ sinistral + -ity.] The state or character of being sinistral, in any sense. Proceedings of U. S. National Museum, XI. 604. sinistrally (sin'is-tral-i), adv. Sinistrad; in a sinistral direction; to or toward the left; from right to left.