1. rotating the plane of polarized light to the left (counterclockwise when viewed from the observer's perspective); having a negative optical rotation.
Usage: chemistry; physics; also spelled levorotatory

Examples

• The laevorotatory isomer of glucose rotates polarized light in the opposite direction from its dextrorotatory counterpart.
• Scientists use a polarimeter to determine whether a compound is laevorotatory or dextrorotatory.
• Tartaric acid exists in both laevorotatory and dextrorotatory forms.
• The laevorotatory form of the molecule is often denoted with a minus sign (−) in chemical nomenclature.
• Many naturally occurring amino acids are laevorotatory.