English · Word Candidate

dexter

/ˈdɛks.tə/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: dexters

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Right; on the right-hand side. (In heraldry, specifically the bearer's right, which is the viewer's left.)

Adjective

Examples

my Mothers bloud / Runs on the dexter checke, and this ſiniſter / Bounds in my fathers:

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

The right side (of a building, an equation, a heraldic shield [from the wearer's perspective], etc).

Noun

Examples

Subtracting the second from the first, the third from the second and the first from the third successively, we obtain, after transposition, the following identities: — [several equations] But, the sinisters being exact differentials, the dexters are so. Consequently [...]

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

One of a breed of small hardy cattle originating from the Kerry breed of Ireland, valuable for beef and milk. They are usually chiefly black, sometimes red, and somewhat resemble a small shorthorn in build.

Noun

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “dexter” mean?

Right; on the right-hand side. (In heraldry, specifically the bearer's right, which is the viewer's left.)

Is “dexter” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.