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

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 Joseph Devlin

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 Don Marquis

His descent was noble on one side, with or without the bend sinister, which he said he would never have disclaimed, had it been his, but which he did not happen to inherit. 

From Essays in Little by Andrew Lang

All these families bear the arms described by your correspondent, but without the bend sinister.

From Notes and Queries, Number 51, October 19, 1850 by Various