Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

bend sinister

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.49 in modern English

Syllables: bend sin-is-ter
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

12

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A diagonal band on a coat of arms going from the sinister chief (the viewer's top right) to the dexter base, sometimes erroneously held to indicate bastardy.

noun

Bastardy, (by extension) a defect or stigma.

Dated

Example Sentences

"A ‘bend sinister’ ran athwart his reputation as a priest. Men muttered that he was an infidel, a blasphemous vagabond, versed in all the damnable heresies of antiquity."
"Rumour credited his family tree with both a 50 per cent. Jewish strain and a bend sinister."
"“I am a gentleman,” he began slowly, his back still turned, and his fingers moving busily. “Or rather, the blood of a gentleman flows through my veins.” […] “A bend sinister. Poor lad!”"

Usage

Dated

Inflected Forms

bends sinister (plural)

Phrases

per bend sinister bar sinister baton sinister

Frequently Paired Words

bar sinister baton sinister

Synonyms

bar sinister

Questions

What does bend sinister mean?: A diagonal band on a coat of arms going from the sinister chief (the viewer's top right) to the dexter base, sometimes erroneously held to indicate bastardy.

How to pronounce bend sinister

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