bend sinister

== English == === Noun === bend sinister (plural bends sinister) (heraldry) A diagonal band on a coat of arms going from the sinister chief (the viewer's top right) to the dexter base, sometimes erroneously held to indicate bastardy. (figuratively, dated) Bastardy, (by extension) a defect or stigma. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== bar sinister baton sinister ==== Further reading ==== bend sinister on Wikipedia.Wikipedia === References === The Manual of Heraldry, Fifth Edition, by Anonymous, London, 1862, online at [2]