backhanded

[ bak-han-did ]
/ ˈbækˌhæn dɪd /

adjective

performed with the hand turned backward, crosswise, or in any oblique direction so that the palm of the hand faces in the direction of the body and the back of the hand faces in the direction of forward movement.
sloping in a downward direction from left to right: backhanded writing.
oblique or ambiguous in meaning; indirect; insincere or malicious; wry: backhanded methods; a backhanded compliment.
Ropemaking. noting a rope in which the yarns and the strands are laid in the same direction, the rope itself being laid in the opposite direction.

adverb

with the hand across the body; backhand: He caught the ball backhanded.

Origin of backhanded

First recorded in 1790–1800; back2 + handed

OTHER WORDS FROM backhanded

back·hand·ed·ly, adverb back·hand·ed·ness, noun

Definition for backhanded (2 of 2)

Origin of backhand

First recorded in 1650–60; back2 + hand

Example sentences from the Web for backhanded

British Dictionary definitions for backhanded (1 of 2)

backhanded
/ (ˌbækˈhændɪd) /

adjective

(of a blow, shot, stroke, etc) performed with the arm moving across the body
double-edged; equivocal a backhanded compliment
(of handwriting) slanting to the left
(of a rope) twisted in the opposite way to the normal right-handed direction

adverb

in a backhanded manner

Derived forms of backhanded

backhandedly, adverb backhandedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for backhanded (2 of 2)

backhand
/ (ˈbækˌhænd) /

noun

sport
  1. a stroke made across the body with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke
  2. (as modifier)a backhand return
the side on which backhand strokes are made
handwriting slanting to the left

adverb

with a backhand stroke

verb (tr)

sport to play (a shot) backhand