dexter

EtymologyEdit

From Latin dexter, from Proto-Indo-European *deks(i)-tero-, from Proto-Indo-European *deks- (“right”) (Pokorny, Watkins, 1969; et al.) Compare Homeric Greek δεξιτερός (dexiteros) "right hand", δεξιός (dexios), "right", Old Church Slavonic деснъ (desnŭ, “right”).

PronunciationEdit

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛkstə/

AdjectiveEdit

dexter (not comparable)

1. Right; on the right-hand side.
   • 1887, George William Foote; J. M. Wheeler, Crimes of Christianity, London: Progressive Publishing:

     Displaying his dexter palm, he exclaimed that there was a hand that never took a bribe; whereupon a smart auditor cried "How about the one behind your back?"

   • 1911, Saki, ‘The Match-Maker’, The Chronicles of Clovis:

     Clovis wiped the trace of Turkish coffee and the beginnings of a smile from his lips, and slowly lowered his dexter eyelid.

NounEdit

dexter (plural dexters)

1. (heraldry) The right side of a shield from the wearer's standpoint, and the left side to the viewer.
2. right hand

See alsoEdit

• sinister

EtymologyEdit

From Proto-Indo-European *deḱs-. Cognates include Ancient Greek δεξιός (deksiós) and Sanskrit दक्षिण (dákṣiṇa).

AdjectiveEdit

dexter, dextra or dextera, dextrum or dexterum; first/second declension

1. right (relative direction)
2. skillful
3. fortunate, favorable
4. proper, fitting

InflectionEdit

First/second declension, masculine nominative singular in -er.

or

First/second declension, masculine nominative singular in -er.

AntonymsEdit

• laevus
• sinister

Derived termsEdit

• dextere
• dextrē
• dexteritas
• dextrale n, dextraliolum n
• dextrorsum, dextrorsus, dextroversum
• ambidexter

Related termsEdit

• dextral

DescendantsEdit