King James Bible Dictionary

LEFT, preterit tense and participle passive of leave.

LEFT, adjective [Latin lavus; Gr. probably from the root of leave, Gr. and properly weak, deficient. Applied to the hand or arm, it denotes the weak arm, as opposed to the right, the strong or dextrous. Hence the ancient idea of sinister, unfortunate, attached to the left arm or side.]

1. Denoting the part opposed to the right of the body; as the left hand, arm or side. Hence, the noun being omitted, we say, on the left that is, on the left side or wing, as of an army.

2. The left bank of a river, is that which is on the left hand of a person whose face is towards the mouth of the river.

Among the Hebrews, denoted the north (Job 23:9; Genesis 14:15), the face of the person being supposed to be toward the east.

(Judges 3:15; 20:16), one unable to use the right hand skilfully, and who therefore uses the left; and also one who uses the left as well as the right, ambidexter. Such a condition of the hands is due to physical causes. This quality was common apparently in the tribe of Benjamin.

Judges 3:15
Judges 20:16

LEFT-HAND'ED, adjective

1. Having the left hand or arm more strong and dextrous than the right; using the left hand and arm with more dexterity than the right.

2. Unlucky; inauspicious; unseasonable. obsolete

LEFT-HAND'EDNESS, noun Habitual use of the left hand, or rather the ability to use the left hand with more ease and strength than the right.

LEFT-HAND'INESS, noun Awkwardness.