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Sinister

Sinister is an English adjective and less commonly a noun, used most often to describe something threatening, evil, or ominous. It can also denote mere left-hand orientation in certain contexts. In everyday use, phrases such as a sinister figure or a sinister plan imply malevolence or danger. The contrasting term dexter historically refers to the right-hand side and to skillfulness.

Etymology: The word comes from the Latin sinister meaning left, left-hand side. The association of the left

In specialized uses, sinister is a technical term in heraldry, where it names the left-hand side of

In culture and media, sinister is a common descriptor in literature and film to convey threat or

The word’s meaning has remained stable in modern English, though its tonal weight can range from neutral

with
bad
fortune
is
ancient
and
cross-cultural,
although
not
universal.
In
many
contexts,
the
right-hand
side
has
been
favored.
a
shield
from
the
bearer's
perspective
(the
viewer’s
right);
dexter
names
the
right-hand
side.
In
biology
and
anatomy,
the
prefix
sinistr-
or
sinister
describes
left-handedness
or
left-sided
structures,
with
corresponding
dextral
terms.
malevolence.
It
is
used
in
journalism
and
criticism
as
a
neutral
shorthand
for
something
ominous,
and
it
has
appeared
as
a
title,
such
as
the
2012
horror
film
Sinister.
description
of
leftward
orientation
to
strongly
negative
moral
judgment
depending
on
context.