bend sinister

That in heraldry, a bend sinister indicates bastardy.

To which I could only reply, "Madam, I have never yet discovered the bend sinister on our escutcheon."

That a market should be held upon the Sabbath in this city, is a "bend sinister" upon its escutcheon.

It is a diminutive of the bend sinister, of which it is one-fourth in width, couped or cut short at the ends, so as not to touch the corners of the shield.

There were several generations of them, and used for their arms those of Bonville with the addition of a bend sinister; they also became extinct.