rights
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
"to have one to RIGHTS," to be even with him, to serve him out properly. "TO RIGHTS" is also an ejaculation signifying satisfaction of the highest order.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Where it’s used:
Origin
British & Irish English
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “rights” mean?
"to have one to RIGHTS," to be even with him, to serve him out properly. "TO RIGHTS" is also an ejaculation signifying satisfaction of the highest order.
Is “rights” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.