Bend Sinister (Noun)
Meaning
A mark of bastardy; lines from top right to bottom left.
Classification
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents.
Examples
- The family's coat of arms bore a bend sinister, indicating that their ancestor was a son born out of wedlock.
- The heraldist carefully examined the old crest, noting the distinctive bend sinister that set it apart from other family emblems.
- In medieval times, a bend sinister was often used to signify a family's tainted lineage.
- The aristocrat's illegitimate birth was reflected in the prominent bend sinister on her family's ancestral shield.
- After conducting research, the historian concluded that the mysterious bend sinister on a 12th-century crest referred to a historical figure's rumored bastardy.