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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Left-handed screw

Left-handed \Left"-hand`ed\, a.

  1. Having the left hand or arm stronger and more dexterous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right.

  2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as, a left-handed compliment.

    The commendations of this people are not always left-handed and detractive.
    --Landor.

  3. Having a direction contrary to that of the hands of a watch when seen in front; -- said of a twist, a rotary motion, etc., looked at from a given direction.

    Left-handed marriage, a morganatic marriage. See Morganatic.

    Left-handed screw, a screw constructed to advance away from the observer, when turned, as in a nut, with a left-handed rotation. An ordinary wood screw is right-handed.