leftwardsadv.
/ˈlɛftwədz/, U.S. /ˈlɛf(t)wərdz/ 1. In a leftward direction, towards the left. Cf. leftward adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > sideways movement or a sideways movement > [adverb] > to the left
leftsomesa1398
lefta1400
leftward1579
leftwards1585
leftwise1830
sinistrally1838
left-handed1909
the world > space > direction > specific directions > [adverb] > in sideways direction > to right and left > towards the left
aleftc1330
leftsomesa1398
lefta1400
leftward1579
leftwards1585
toward1711
sinistrally1838
left-handed1851
leftwardly1892
1585 J. Blagrave Math. Iewel 18 At the other diametre leftwards [symbol] to beginne, and rightwards ♎.
1667 W. Leybourn Art of Numbring x. 75 Take its Cube from the uppermost Figures, which stand before (or leftwards) of the first Point, and note the Remainder above.
1724 W. Stukeley Of Spleen 11 Its other ramification on the top of the stomach going leftwards ascends still on the upper part of the stomach.
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea II. 433 Going thence leftwards to the Coldstream..brigade.
1893 Horse & Hound 18 Nov. 734 The pack made a sudden turn leftwards.
1931 Jrnl. Hellenic Stud. 51 56 The other [fragment] gives the calves and feet of a woman moving quickly leftwards.
1970 Arizona Republic 20 Sept. b21 When the port is being passed leftwards around the Mess table, sailors who have rounded Cape Horn are permitted to put one foot up on the Mess table.
2011 G. Bowd tr. M. Houellebecq Map & Territory 12 Jed turned the intensity control leftwards.
2. Towards the political left. Cf. leftward adv. 2a.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > rule or government > politics > party politics > groups or attitudes right to left > [adverb] > towards the left
leftwards1868
left1918
1868 Standard 28 Mar. 5/2 Little reliance is to be placed upon this majority, split up as it now is..some veering Leftwards, others contenting themselves with a modification of the original scheme.
1872 Times 27 Mar. 10/1 While a section of the Republicans have moved Leftwards towards the Commune, another part of them have remained standing where they were.
1948 R. J. Cruikshank Liberal Party 26 Gladstone..moved across the variegated terrain of the Liberal Party, leftwards, ever leftwards.
1971 Guardian 3 July 11/8 When the Chinese civil war began in 1946 Liu wobbled to the Right... Then he lurched Leftwards.
2013 Daily Tel. 13 Sept. 28/5 Miliband..believed that the financial crisis would nudge Britain Leftwards.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1585