Quick Definition
ἀριστερός, ά, όν Adj on the left hand
Strong's Definition
apparently a comparative of the same as 712; the left hand (as second-best)
KJV Usage: left (hand)
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament
adjc. | -ά, -όν
82.7 · Spacial Orientations · Left, Right, Straight Ahead, Opposite
left, left side pertaining to being to the left of some point of reference In 2CO 6:7 the phrase ὅπλον ἀριστερόν, literally ‘left-hand weapon,’ refers to a weapon used by the left hand and therefore a defensive weapon, while ὅπλον δεξιόν, literally ‘weapon for the right hand,’ refers to an offensive weapon.
For an interpretation of ἀριστερός as part of an idiom in MRK 10:37, see 87.35.
8.33 · (ἀριστερά, (ᾶς, f)) · Body, Body Parts, and Body Products · Parts of the Body
left hand The left hand is designated in a number of languages by an idiomatic phrase which normally contrasts with expressions for the right hand. For example, one may often speak of the left hand as ‘the bad hand’ or ‘the weak hand,’ and in some instances as ‘the anus hand,’ since this is the hand used in cleansing the body after defecation. See also 8.32.
UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament © United Bible Societies, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
ἀριστερός, -d, -όν, left: Mt. vi. 3; Lk. xxiii. 33; [Mk. x. 37 T Tr WH, on the plur. ef. W. § 27, 3]; ὅπλα ἀριστερά i. 6. carried in the left hand, defensive weapons, 2 Co. vi. 7. [From Hom. down.]
Mounce Concise Greek Dictionary
ἀριστερός aristeros 4x
the left hand, Mt. 6:3; so ἐξ ἀριστερῶν, i.e. μερῶν, Lk. 23:33; 2 Cor. 6:7; Mk. 10:37*
Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon
ἀριστερός, -ά, -όν,
[in LXX for שְׂמֹאל;]
left, on the left: ὅπλα, II Co 6:7; ἡ ἀ. (sc. χείρ), Mt 6:3; ἐξ ἀριστερῶν, on the left (MM, s.v.): Mk 10:37, Lk 23:33.†
Moulton & Milligan — Vocabulary of the Greek NT
ἀριστερός lacuna following, but has reference apparently to numeration. The subst. ἀρίθμησις occurs in P Kyl 11. 9915 (iii/A.D.) διαγράψω... ταῖς εἰθισμέναις ἀριθμήσεσιν ‘in the customary instalments” (Edd.). It is common in the phrase εἰς ἀρίθμησιν μηνός, as BGU I. 25%, 41° (both ii/iii A.p.), Precsigke 1090° (ostracon, A.D. 161). There is a further derivative ἀριθμητικός : Wilcken (Osér. i. p. 351, cf. Archiv iv. p. 174) makes τὸ ἀ. an impost for the maintenance of the ἀριθμηταί, but GH (P Tebt II. p. 197) regard it rather as a tax on land: cf. BGU I. 236%, 3307 (both ii/a.p.). It is MGr, as is ἀριθμός. We may take the opportunity of noting the remarkable parallel to Mt 10%°, Lk 127 in the new fragment of Alcaeus (vii/vi B.c.), P Oxy X. 1233, fr. 81° . .Js mapa μοῖραν Alos οὐδὲ τριχί . . (see the note).
Liddell-Scott-Jones — Greek-English Lexicon
ἀριστερός (aristeros) — left. ἀριστερός [ᾰ], ά, όν, left, on the left, ἐπ᾽ ἀριστερά towards, i.e. on, the left, [Refs 8th c.BC+]
2. ἀριστερά (with or without χείρ), ἡ, left hand, ἐξ ἀριστερῆς χειρός on the left hand, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐς ἀριστερὴν χεῖρα ἤιε, ἐν ἀριστερῇ ἔχειν, [Refs 5th c.BC+]
3. metaphorically, boding ill, ominous, because to a Greek, looking northward, unlucky signs came from the left, ἀ. ἤλυθεν ὄρνις[Refs 8th c.BC+]
4. awkward, erring, φρενόθεν ἐπ᾽ ἀριστερὰ ἔβας turnedst to the leftward of thy mind, [Refs 5th c.BC+]; ἐπ᾽ ἀριστερὰ εἴληφας τὸ πρᾶγμα in a sinister sense, [Refs 4th c.BC+]; τῷ ἀριστερῷ δέχεσθαι [λόγους] [Refs 1st c.AD+]. (Prop. 'better', compare ἄριστο; euphemism (compare εὐώνυμος) to avoid ill-luck.)