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links

adverb; also adjective (indeclinable when attributive)

1. to the left
2. on the left side
3. left-wing (politics)
4. awkwardly (colloquial)

Built from

• link — root · left
  The adjective root denoting the left side or direction, opposite of 'recht'.
• s — ending · adverbial marker
  Frozen genitive singular ending that marks the word as an adverb.

Analysis. The adverbial form derives from the adjective 'link' (left), which is the opposite of 'recht' (right). The -s ending marks the adverbial genitive, a frozen case form.

Etymology. From Old High German 'hlinc', cognate with Dutch 'link' and Old Norse 'hlenkr'. The root refers to the weaker or non-dominant side, as the left hand was traditionally considered less skillful. The word shares Indo-European roots with English 'link' (something bent or crooked, implying the awkwardness of left-handedness).

Dictionary entry by Claude.

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