dexter

¹

[ dek-ster ]

adjective

1. on the right side; right.
2. noting the side of a heraldic shield that is to the right of one who bears it ( sinister ).

Dexter

²

[ dek-ster ]

noun

1. Also Dex·ter-Ker·ry [] one of a breed of small, hardy, usually black dual-purpose cattle, derived from the Kerry breed of Ireland.
2. a male given name.

dexter

¹

/ ˈdɛkstə /

noun

1. a small breed of red or black beef cattle, originally from Ireland

Dexter

²

/ ˈdɛkstə /

noun

1. DexterJohn19251990MBritishTHEATRE: actorTHEATRE: theatre director John. 1925–90, British actor and theatre director

dexter

³

/ ˈdɛkstə /

adjective

1. archaic.
   of or located on the right side
2. usually postpositive heraldry of, on, or starting from the right side of a shield from the bearer's point of view and therefore on the spectator's left

Word History and Origins

Origin of dexter¹

First recorded in 1555–65; from Latin: “right-hand,” also “favorable, right, skillful”; akin to Gothic taihswa, Old Irish dess, Greek dexiós, Lithuanian dẽ šinas, Sanskrit dakṣina

Word History and Origins

Origin of dexter¹

C19: perhaps from the surname of the original breeder

Origin of dexter²

C16: from Latin; compare Greek dexios on the right hand

Example Sentences

Did playing such a demented character like Dexter for so long mess with your head?

From The Daily Beast

It was the first step in my Dexter detox—to play a guy who killed someone without meaning to do it.

From The Daily Beast

Well, the only way Dexter could have been tied up in a bow was if the last episode would have been the last episode of Season 4.

From The Daily Beast

People who have only seen you in Six Feet Under and Dexter are going to be very surprised to see you as Hedwig.

From The Daily Beast

By Dexter Filkins, The New Yorker The White House wants the Kurds to help save Iraq from ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

Miss Dexter introduced the girl at the other end of the seat—another senior, Miss Purvis.

From Project Gutenberg

This family consisted of a daughter Hope, and a son Dexter, now a lieutenant at eighteen.

From Project Gutenberg

The last of the six was just leaving him after this process had been completed, when Mr Dexter called him back.

From Project Gutenberg

Dexter promised to keep his name out of the business, and went straight to the Old Man, and Patterson got turfed out on the spot.

From Project Gutenberg

"Let us talk only of love," returned he, thoughtfully rolling up his dexter sleeve.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• benevolent
• encouraging
• favorable