Definitions for backhandedˈbækˌhæn dɪd
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
back•hand•edˈbækˌhæn dɪd(adj.)
performed with the back of the hand turned or facing forward:
a backhanded stroke.
sloping in a downward direction from left to right:
backhanded writing.
oblique or ambiguous in meaning:
a backhanded compliment.
(adv.)with the hand across the body; backhand:
He caught the ball backhanded.
Origin of backhanded:
1790–1800
back′hand`ed•ness(n.)
Princeton's WordNet
backhand(a), backhanded(adj)
(of racket strokes) made across the body with back of hand facing direction of stroke
backhanded(adj)
roundabout or ambiguous
"attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity"; "a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal"
Wiktionary
backhanded(Adjective)
With the hand turned backward.
a backhanded blow
backhanded(Adjective)
Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic.
a backhanded compliment
backhanded(Adjective)
Turned back
backhanded(Adjective)
(of writing) inclining to the left
backhanded letters
Origin: From back + hand + -ed
Webster Dictionary
Backhanded(adj)
with the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow
Backhanded(adj)
indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment
Backhanded(adj)
turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded letters
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