Noun: bar sinister
- A mark of bastardy; lines from top right to bottom left
"The character's coat of arms included a bar sinister, hinting at his illegitimate birth";
- bend sinister
- The status of being born to parents who were not married
"In medieval times, bar sinister could affect inheritance rights";
- bastardy [archaic], illegitimacy
Derived forms: bars sinister
Type of: brand, mark, ordinary, position, stain, status, stigma
Encyclopedia: Bar sinister