left

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English, weak; akin to Middle Low German lucht left; from the left hand's being the weaker in most individuals Date: 13th century 1. a. of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body in which the heart is mostly located b. done with the left hand <

a left hook to the jaw

> c. located nearer to the left hand than to the right d. (1) located on the left of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified <

stage left

> (2) located on the left when facing downstream <

the left bank of a river

> 2. often capitalized of, adhering to, or constituted by the left especially in politics • left adverb II. noun Date: 13th century 1. a. the left hand b. the location or direction of the left side c. the part on the left side d. a turn to the left <

take a left at the intersection

> 2. a. left field b. a blow struck with the left fist 3. often capitalized a. the part of a legislative chamber located to the left of the presiding officer b. the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the left as a result of holding more radical political views than other members 4. often capitalized a. those professing views usually characterized by desire to reform or overthrow the established order especially in politics and usually advocating change in the name of the greater freedom or well-being of the common man b. a radical as distinguished from a conservative position • leftmost noun III. past and past participle of leave