Although this meaning is no longer used, sinister used to refer to something of, on, or towards the left-hand side of the body (and is Latin for left). Also used in heraldry when referring to the left-hand side of a coat of arms, sinister is the opposite of dexter (as in ambidextrous, which literally means ‘right-handed on both sides’). It also gave rise to the rather uncomplimentary adjective sinistrous: left-handed, slow.
niggerhater -1 points 3.9 years ago
Although this meaning is no longer used, sinister used to refer to something of, on, or towards the left-hand side of the body (and is Latin for left). Also used in heraldry when referring to the left-hand side of a coat of arms, sinister is the opposite of dexter (as in ambidextrous, which literally means ‘right-handed on both sides’). It also gave rise to the rather uncomplimentary adjective sinistrous: left-handed, slow.