adj
Uncommon
dexter
DEHKS-tuh
Dexter (adj) means On the right-hand side; in heraldry, the side of a shield as seen from the bearer's (not the viewer's) perspective. Example: “The lion appears on the dexter side of the coat of arms.”
adj
1
On the right-hand side; in heraldry, the side of a shield as seen from the bearer's (not the viewer's) perspective.
"Clovis wiped the trace of Turkish coffee and the beginnings of a smile from his lips, and slowly lowered his dexter eyelid."
— Saki, ‘The Match-Maker’ (1911)
"The shield was divided into five, with two coats of arms on the dexter side (the right-hand side from the point of view of the bearer of the shield)—London and Southampton—and three on the sinister side—Salisbury, Winchester and Portsmouth."
— Col. H. C. B. Rogers, Railway Heraldry (1956)
"The lion appears on the dexter side of the coat of arms."
"In the painting, the knight's sword is held on the dexter side."
"A heraldry student must learn that dexter means the bearer's right, not the viewer's."
noun
1
A small, hardy breed of cattle originally from Ireland.
"The farm keeps a small herd of Dexter cattle for both milk and beef."
"A Dexter is much smaller than most other cattle and copes well with rough pasture."
"Because the Dexter is so hardy, the farmer kept it outside through the winter."
How to use dexter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA heraldry term for "right side" (confusingly, the shield-bearer's right, which looks like the left to a viewer); also a breed of small cattle.
Common mistake
In heraldry, dexter is the left side as you look at the image, since it's described from the shield-bearer's point of view, not the viewer's.
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Word forms
- Plural
- dexters
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lion appears on the _____ side of the coat of arms.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin dexter, "right, right-handed."
Synonyms
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right-hand
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for dexter
See all rhymes for dexter →Frequently asked questions
What does “dexter” mean?
The word “dexter” means on the right-hand side; in heraldry, the side of a shield as seen from the bearer's (not the viewer's) perspective. In plain terms, a heraldry term for "right side" (confusingly, the shield-bearer's right, which looks like the left to a viewer); also a breed of small cattle.
How do you pronounce “dexter”?
“Dexter” is pronounced DEHKS-tuh (/ˈdɛks.tɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dexter” in a sentence?
Here is “dexter” used in a sentence: “The lion appears on the dexter side of the coat of arms.”
What part of speech is “dexter”?
Depending on how it is used, “dexter” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “dexter” come from?
The word “dexter” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin dexter, "right, right-handed.".
Is “dexter” a common word?
“Dexter” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “dexter” have?
“Dexter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: on the right-hand side; in heraldry, the side of a shield as seen from the bearer's (not the viewer's) perspective.
What is the difference between "dexter" and "sinister" in heraldry?
In heraldry, "dexter" refers to the right-hand side of a shield as seen from the bearer holding it, while "sinister" refers to the left-hand side from the same perspective. Because the bearer faces outward toward the viewer, dexter actually appears on the viewer's left, which often confuses people unfamiliar with the convention.
Why does "dexter" refer to the bearer's right rather than the viewer's right?
Heraldic terms like "dexter" were fixed from the point of view of the knight carrying the shield, not the person looking at it, since the system originated as a practical way to describe positions on real shields in battle. This convention has been preserved in heraldry even though it can seem reversed to a modern viewer.
Is a Dexter cattle breed related to the heraldic term "dexter"?
No, the Dexter cattle breed, a small hardy breed originally from Ireland, is a separate meaning of the word and is not connected to the heraldic sense describing the right-hand side of a shield. The two uses share the same spelling but refer to entirely different things.
