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