dexter
/'dekstə/
Definition
- Adjective:
- On or starting from the wearer's right: In heraldry, "dexter" describes the side of a shield (or a heraldic animal) that is on the right-hand side from the perspective of the person bearing or holding the shield. It is the left side from the viewer's perspective.
Usage
- Adjective:
- The term is used almost exclusively in the formal, specialized context of heraldry (the system of designing and describing coats of arms).
- It is used to specify the placement of charges (symbols) on a shield or the orientation of an animal.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The lion rampant is on the dexter side of the shield. (The lion in a rampant posture is placed on the right-hand side from the bearer's point of view.)
- A bend dexter is a diagonal band running from the top right (bearer's perspective) to the bottom left of the shield.
Advanced Usage
- "Dexter chief": Refers to the top right-hand corner of a shield from the bearer's perspective.
- A mullet (star) was placed in dexter chief.
- "Dexter base": Refers to the bottom right-hand corner of a shield from the bearer's perspective.
- Contrast with "sinister": In heraldry, "sinister" is the antonym, meaning the left-hand side from the bearer's perspective (the viewer's right).
Variants and Related Words
- Dexterity (n): Skill in performing tasks, especially with the hands. (Note: This is a separate word derived from the same Latin root ( meaning "right" or "skillful") but is not a variant of the heraldic term.)
- Dextral (adj): Of or relating to the right side; right-handed. (A more general scientific or technical term.)
- Ambidextrous (adj): Able to use both hands equally well. (Literally, "right-handed on both sides").
Synonyms
- Right-hand (in heraldic descriptions, though "dexter" is the precise technical term).
Antonyms
- Sinister (adj): In heraldry, meaning on or starting from the wearer's left.
Adjective
-
on or starting from the wearer's right
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