Meaning of bend sinister | Babel Free

Definitions

1. 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.
2. Bastardy, (by extension) a defect or stigma.
   dated, figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“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!””

CEFR level