bend sinister

American  

noun

Heraldry.

1. a diagonal band extending from the sinister chief of an escutcheon to the dexter base: a supposed mark of bastardy.

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bend sinister British  

noun

1. heraldry a diagonal line bisecting a shield from the top right to the bottom left, typically indicating a bastard line

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Etymology

Origin of bend sinister

First recorded in 1615–25

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

bend sinister

That in heraldry, a bend sinister indicates bastardy.

From New York Times ● Dec. 19, 2019

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

Remember that most all slang is of vulgar origin and bears upon its face the bend sinister of vulgarity.

From How to Speak and Write Correctly by Devlin, Joseph

Far better the bend sinister in his own class than a legitimate parent of the type of 'Gene Bisbee or D.V.

From The Avalanche by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn

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.

From The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 3 Atrebates to Bedlis by Various