dexter

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.

“Dexter” is pronounced DEHKS-tuh (/ˈdɛks.tɝ/ in IPA).

Here is “dexter” used in a sentence: “The lion appears on the dexter side of the coat of arms.”

Depending on how it is used, “dexter” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “dexter” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin dexter, "right, right-handed.".

“Dexter” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“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.

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.

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.

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.