left-handed marriage

2 definitions found

left-handed marriage - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  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.
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     2. Clumsy; awkward; unlucky; insincere; sinister; malicious;
        as, a left-handed compliment.
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              The commendations of this people are not always
              left-handed and detractive.           --Landor.
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     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.
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     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

  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]