'Left-handed marriage' definitions:

Definition of 'Left-handed marriage'

From: GCIDE
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious; as, a left-handed compliment. [1913 Webster]
  • The commendations of this people are not always left-handed and detractive. --Landor. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster] Left-handedness

Definition of 'left-handed marriage'

From: GCIDE
  • Morganatic \Mor`ga*nat"ic\, a. [LL. matrimonium ad morganaticam, fr. morganatica a morning gift, a kind of dowry paid on the morning before or after the marriage, fr. OHG. morgan morning, in morgangeba morning gift, G. morgengabe. See Morn.] Pertaining to, in the manner of, or designating, a kind of marriage, called also left-handed marriage, between a man of superior rank and a woman of inferior, in which it is stipulated that neither the latter nor her children shall enjoy the rank or inherit the possessions of her husband. --Brande & C. -- {Mor`ga*nat"ic*al*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster]