bend sinister

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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 Devlin, Joseph

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

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 113, December 27, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various

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 Marquis, Don

There is a strange bend sinister in human nature, against sincerity, that will indulge itself even at the cost of life itself.

From The Bramleighs of Bishop's Folly by Lever, Charles James