I'm looking for the correct term for a right-handed person's right hand, and a left-handed person's left hand, and same for their other hand, where one term signifies one's "primary" hand, and the other one's "secondary" hand.
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2I voted for "dominant hand", but you may also refer to "preferential hand". For the opposite, "non-dominant hand" fits.– GraffitoCommented Apr 26, 2016 at 12:58
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"dominant" takes the cake in my book but I wonder if you could describe a perfectly ambidextrous person this way? In this context, my understanding is that dominant would mean that nothing is equal nor better.– MonkeyZeusCommented Apr 26, 2016 at 13:33
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@MonkeyZeus Someone who is perfectly ambidextrous does not fit within the question's scope anyway, they don't have a primary/secondary hand distinction.– JABCommented Apr 26, 2016 at 16:18
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21 upvotes for the top answer and only 4 for OP? Come on English.SE...– user1717828Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 17:23
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Maybe it's somewhat of a stupid question :-)– Wouter LievensCommented Apr 26, 2016 at 17:49
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2 Answers
The "primary" hand is generally called dominant.
Dominant hand
Operant hand generally used for performing fine motor-skills tasks (e.g., writing, holding dental instruments)
Medical Dictionary for the Dental Professions © Farlex 2012 via TFD
From that, I would surmise subordinate hand for the other one.
answered Apr 26, 2016 at 12:04
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21
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6I would say that your speculation is just wrong: subordinate hand is almost never used. Commented Apr 26, 2016 at 16:56
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4As per @PhilSweet's answer below, "off hand" or "weak hand" are commonly used for the non-dominant hand. While "subordinate" technically works, the word is more commonly used to indicate hierarchy or control (e.g. boss/subordinates), and the dominant hand generally exerts no direct control over the off hand.– Doktor JCommented Apr 26, 2016 at 20:11
The non-dominant hand is commonly called the off hand. Also the weak hand. See any combat arts forum.
answered Apr 26, 2016 at 13:22
