handedness

hand·ed·ness  (hndd-ns)

n.

1. A preference for using one hand as opposed to the other.

2. Chemistry & Physics The property that distinguishes an asymmetric from its mirror image but not from a rotated object.

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handedness [ˈhændɪdnɪs]

n

1. the tendency to use one hand more skilfully or in preference to the other

2. (Chemistry) the property of some chemical substances of rotating the plane of polarized light in one direction rather than another See also dextrorotation, laevorotation

3. (Physics / General Physics) the relation between the vectors of spin and momentum of neutrinos and certain other elementary particles See also helicity

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handedness  (hndd-ns)

1. A preference for using one hand rather than the other to perform most manual tasks and activities. Most people are right-handed. Historically, it has been theorized that handedness is associated with a dominance of the opposite cerebral hemisphere of the brain, but this has not been conclusively proven. Although the scientific basis for handedness is unknown, the fact that left-handed parents more frequently have left-handed offspring suggests at least a partial genetic component. Some experts believe that children are trained to favor one hand over the other (usually the right hand.). Handedness is usually established in the first few years of life.

2. See chirality.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

handedness - the property of using one hand more than the other laterality asymmetry, dissymmetry, imbalance - (mathematics) a lack of symmetry ambidexterity, ambidextrousness - the property of being equally skillful with each hand sinistrality, left-handedness - preference for using the left hand dextrality, right-handedness - preference for using the right hand