adj., from "ambi-" (both) and "sinister" (left-handed, in its original meaning)
1) Clumsy or inept with both hands (i.e., the opposite of ambidextrous, which literally means "both" + "right-handed"; note that ancient Rome enormously favoured right-handedness, as China has in modern times)
2) Skilled or able with both hands (used generally in protest against the term ambidextrous because it implies right-handedness is preferable or ideal - ergo, this term is most commonly used by left-handed people, and also by hipsters and English majors who want to show of their knowledge of etymology and generally feel superior; very few people who use the term "ambisinister" are technically ambidextrous)
See also ambisinistrous, which has the same meanings and the same roots (however, the adjective sinistrous has been almost universally replaced by sinister over the last several centuries).
1) Clumsy or inept with both hands (i.e., the opposite of ambidextrous, which literally means "both" + "right-handed"; note that ancient Rome enormously favoured right-handedness, as China has in modern times)
2) Skilled or able with both hands (used generally in protest against the term ambidextrous because it implies right-handedness is preferable or ideal - ergo, this term is most commonly used by left-handed people, and also by hipsters and English majors who want to show of their knowledge of etymology and generally feel superior; very few people who use the term "ambisinister" are technically ambidextrous)
See also ambisinistrous, which has the same meanings and the same roots (however, the adjective sinistrous has been almost universally replaced by sinister over the last several centuries).
by sumpn sumpn July 24, 2011
Get the Ambisinister mug.by Hardcore Poser May 4, 2009
Get the ambisinistrous mug.Related Words
Both left handed; dominant left, but uses right hand for particular tasks. Contrary to notion that it means bad with both hands, the word "bad" is not in there. It derives from Latin. Ambi=Both and sinister=Left. The opposite of ambisinistrous is ambidextrous which means both right handed. It does not mean good with both hands. All left handed people are forced to be ambisinistrous because in a right handed world, there are many things that are not made for left handed people.
I am ambisinistrous because I eat and write with my left hand, but I play the guitar with my right hand.
by sinistress July 7, 2011
Get the ambisinistrous mug.