underhander

underhander

English

Etymology

underhand +‎ -er

Noun

underhander (plural underhanders)

1. A ball thrown or bowled underhand.
   • 1865, Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine (volume 140, page 757)

     Not that the fast underhanders which were bowled before this innovation could be treated with indifference.

2. One who throws or bowls a ball underhand.
   • 2005, Robert K. Fitts, Remembering Japanese Baseball (page 35)

     He was a good pitcher, an underhander with good control.

3. One whose personality inclines toward taking revenge by underhand means.
   • 2000, Lawrence J. Crabb, Rachael Crabb, Paul Johnson, Joy Breaks for Couples: Devotions to Celebrate Marriage (page 123)

     Then there are the underhanders, who seldom take responsibility for their anger but try to place the anger in hurtful ways on others. Sarcasm, lack of punctuality, pouting, sexual acting out, and academic underachieving are examples of this underhanded anger.