proper left

English

A statue with the proper right hand holding a sword up and the proper left hand forwards.

Etymology

proper (in the sense of "its own") + left; from Latin proprius.

Noun

proper left (uncountable)

1. The direction which is to the left from an object's perspective, the direction 90 degrees counter-clockwise from the front.
   • 2006 April, Jean M Burks, “Quebec country furniture at the Shelburne Museum”, in Magazine Antiques, volume 169, number 4, page 124:

     The key in the lock served to open the proper left-hand door, while the proper right door was secured by a hook and eye of forged iron […]

   • 2009, Stephanie E. Hornbeck, “A Conservation Conundrum”, in African Arts, volume 42, number 3, page 52:

     Detail of damage to plaster on proper left side of top chain

   • 2012 May 2, “Search object details”, in British Museum‎^[1], archived from the original on January 16, 2013:

     The nose and proper left ear were also inset, stone restorations, with dark resin visible surrounding the joints.

Synonyms

• port, larboard, backboard

Antonyms

• proper right, starboard