[f. LEFT HAND + -ER1.] a. One who uses the left hand instead of the right; spec. in Cricket, one who bats or bowls left-handed. b. In mediæval fencing, a dagger carried in the left hand to parry a stroke or thrust. c. A blow delivered with the left hand.
a. 1881. Standard, 28 June, 3/2. The left-hander was immediately hit to leg for four.
1900. Daily News, 12 June, 8/4. For two hours and forty minutes the young left-hander had withstood the Middlesex bowling.
b. 1869. Boutell, Arms & Armour, ix. 180. The weapon that in the 16th century was called a main gauche (a left-hander) was a dagger especially used in duels.
c. 1861. C. Benson, in Macm. Mag., Feb., 273/1. Stepping back half a pace, he let fly a tremendous left-hander at the doctor.
1884. H. Smart, in Graphic, 13 Dec., 625/1. He received a straight left-hander in the chest that sent him back reeling.
