1) Backhand 2) Roundabout or ambiguous 1) Backhand 
• (a.) Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment. • (a.) Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, a backhanded letters. • (a.) With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow.
Back'hand`ed adjective 1. With the hand turned backward; as, a backhanded blow. 2. Indirect; awkward; insincere; sarcastic; as, a backhanded compliment. 3. Turned back, or inclining to the left; as, backhanded letters. 
[adj] - roundabout or ambiguous
adjective roundabout or ambiguous; `attacks from that source amounted to a backhanded compliment to his integrity`; `a backhanded and dishonest way of reaching his goal`