adj
dexter
DEHKS-tuh
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.
"The lion appears on the dexter side of the coat of arms."
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."
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.
Word Forms
dexters plural, Dexters plural
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The lion appears on the _____ side of the coat of arms.
Etymology
Borrowed directly from Latin dexter, "right, right-handed."