of, on, or being the side of somebody or something that is nearer the west when the front faces north
of, on, or being the side of something that is closer to the left hand of an observer positioned directly in front
the top left corner of the screen
located on the left side when facing downstream
the left bank of a river
(often Left) of the left or left wing in politics
Old English lyst, left weak; the left hand usually being weaker. The use of left and right to indicate political groups derives from the seating arrangements in the French National Assembly in 1789. The conservatives and royalists sat on the President's right (originally the place of honour due to the nobles); the republicans sat on his left, with the most radical of them at the far end; and moderates sat in the centre. This seating arrangement is now traditional in many legislatures; in the House of Commons, however, the government sits on the Speaker's right regardless of its persuasion