How Do You Spell SINISTRAL?

Pronunciation: [sˈɪnɪstɹə͡l] (IPA)

Sinistral is a word used to describe a left-handed person or something that is oriented to the left. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ˈsɪnɪstrəl/. This word is spelled with the letter "s" followed by the letters "i-n-i-s", then "t-r-a-l". The "s" sound is pronounced as the voiceless alveolar fricative, the "i" sound is pronounced as the short "ih" vowel, and the "t-r-a-l" combination is pronounced as the voiced alveolar lateral fricative. Overall, this word is an interesting example of how English words can incorporate diverse sound combinations.

SINISTRAL Meaning and Definition

1. Sinistral is an adjective with various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. When referring to direction or position, sinistral describes something that is oriented towards or located on the left side. It is derived from the Latin word "sinistra," which means left. This term is often used in scientific and geological contexts to describe the left-handed or counterclockwise rotation of an object, such as a spiral shell or a fault line. For example, in biology, sinistral is often used to describe the coiling direction of a snail's shell that spirals to the left.

   In another context, sinistral can describe a preference or bias towards left-handedness or left-side dominance. This may be observed in individuals who are naturally inclined to use their left hand for tasks such as writing, eating, or throwing. Sinistral individuals may have a dominant left hemisphere in their brain, which controls the right side of the body and is often associated with analytical and language skills.

   Overall, sinistral generally refers to something oriented towards or located on the left side, whether it be a physical direction, a rotational pattern, or a preference for left-handedness.

2. Relating to the left side, left, sinister.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. Belonging to the left hand; having spiral turns towards the left.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for SINISTRAL

• ainistral
• zinistral
• xinistral
• dinistral
• einistral
• winistral
• sunistral
• sjnistral
• sknistral
• sonistral
• s9nistral
• s8nistral
• sibistral
• simistral
• sijistral
• sihistral
• sinustral
• sinjstral
• sinkstral
• Pypistralas

Etymology of SINISTRAL

The word "sinistral" comes from the Latin word "sinister", which means "left". In ancient Rome, the left side was often associated with evil or unfavorable circumstances. As a result, the term "sinister" began to be used to describe something that is threatening or harmful. The adjective "sinistral" was derived from this Latin term to describe something left-oriented or pertaining to the left side, particularly in reference to biological structures like shells or snails that coil counterclockwise or with a left-handed spiral.

Similar spelling words for SINISTRAL

• sinistrality,
• sinister,
• sinistrorse,
• sinistrorsal.

Plural form of SINISTRAL is SINISTRALS