handedness

hand·ed·ness

H0042300 (hăn′dĭd-nĭs)n.1. A preference for using one hand as opposed to the other.2. See chirality.

handedness

(ˈhændɪdnɪs) n1. the tendency to use one hand more skilfully or in preference to the other2. (Chemistry) the property of some chemical substances of rotating the plane of polarized light in one direction rather than another. See also dextrorotation, laevorotation3. (General Physics) the relation between the vectors of spin and momentum of neutrinos and certain other elementary particles. See also helicity

hand•ed•ness

(ˈhæn dɪd nɪs)

n. a tendency to use one hand more than the other. [1920–25]

Thesaurus

Noun

handedness - the property of using one hand more than the otherlateralityasymmetry, dissymmetry, imbalance - (mathematics) a lack of symmetryambidexterity, ambidextrousness - the property of being equally skillful with each handsinistrality, left-handedness - preference for using the left handdextrality, right-handedness - preference for using the right hand

Translations

handedness

handedness,

habitual or more skillful use of one hand as opposed to the other. Approximately 90% of humans are thought to be right-handed. It was traditionally argued that there is a slight tendency toward asymmetrical physiological development favoring the right side of the body, and that the center of gravity is to the right of the body's midline. This, however, would seem to be the consequence of greater dependence upon the right hand rather than the cause of right-handedness.

The neurological argument holds that since the right and left sides of the body are controlled by the opposite hemispheres of the brain, the greater development of the left hemisphere results in right-handedness. Anatomical studies have demonstrated that Broca's center, the area of the cerebral cortex that controls speech and muscular coordination, is almost always better developed in the left hemisphere in right-handed individuals; in 70% of left-handed individuals these centers are located in the right brain. Psychologists have raised the possibility of a cultural explanation. Although young children can be trained to prefer the right hand against a natural inclination, there is evidence that handedness is hereditary and that denser neurological connections extending from one side of the brain or the other are present from birth. A cultural explanation is also challenged by the evidence that some other vertebrates demonstrate a preference for one hand or paw over the other.

Although it is not clear that culture is a causative agent in handedness, it is certain that the high incidence of right-handedness has shaped human society in almost every conceivable aspect. Tools, machinery, and even clothing are largely designed for the right-handed, and until fairly recently, many left-handed individuals were strongly encouraged to switch to right-handedness. In some cultures the left-handed were thought to be evil or to bring bad luck.

handedness

[′han·dəd·nəs] (physics) A division of objects, such as coordinate systems, screws, and circularly polarized light beams, into two classes (right and left), which distinguishes an object from a mirror image but not from a rotated object.

handedness

[hand´ed-nes] the preferential use of the hand of one side in all voluntary motor acts; see also dextrality" >dextrality and sinistrality." >sinistrality.

hand·ed·ness

(hand'ĕd-nes), [MIM*139900] Preference for the use of one hand, more commonly the right, associated with dominance of the opposite cerebral hemisphere; may also be the result of training or habit.

Chemistry The left- or right-sidedness, or asymmetry of virtually everything in the universe from the ‘lowly’ molecule to highly complex organisms
Neurology A state of dominance of use of a preferred side, as in left-handed or right-handed

hand·ed·ness

(hand'ĕd-nĕs) Preference for the use of one hand, most commonly the right, associated with dominance of the opposite cerebral hemisphere; may also be the result of training or habit.

handedness

The natural tendency to use one hand rather than the other for skilled manual tasks such as writing. Ambidexterity-the indifferent use of either hand-is rare. About 10% of people are left-handed.

hand·ed·ness

(hand'ĕd-nĕs) [MIM*139900] Preference for the use of one hand, more commonly the right.

handedness

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Synonyms for handedness

noun the property of using one hand more than the other

Synonyms

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