bend sinister

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That in heraldry, a bend sinister indicates bastardy.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2019

Thus a bend proceeding from the top of the left side of the shield is called a bend sinister.

From The Manual of Heraldry; Fifth Edition Being a Concise Description of the Several Terms Used, and Containing a Dictionary of Every Designation in the Science by Anonymous

For all of the bend sinister upon his escutcheon, Reginald Maltravers was as fanatical concerning the family as his father.

From The Cruise of the Jasper B. by Marquis, Don

An ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister as a mark of bastardy, and containing one fourth in breadth of the bend sinister; Ð called also bastard bar.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

The shield was—Per fesse embattled, ar. and sa., three falcons, belted, countercharged—a bend sinister.

From Notes and Queries, Number 47, September 21, 1850 by Various