I. ˈrīt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English riht; akin to Old High German reht right, Latin rectus straight, right, regere to lead straight, direct, rule, rogare to ask, Greek oregein to stretch out
Date: before 12th century
1. : righteous , upright
2. : being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper
right conduct
3. : conforming to facts or truth : correct
the right answer
4. : suitable , appropriate
the right man for the job
5. : straight
a right line
6. : genuine , real
7.
a. : of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body which is away from the side on which the heart is mostly located
b. : located nearer to the right hand than to the left
c. : located to the right of an observer facing the object specified or directed as the right arm would point when raised out to the side
d.
(1) : located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified
stage right
(2) : located on the right when facing downstream
the right bank of a river
e. : done with the right hand
a right hook to the jaw
8. : having the axis perpendicular to the base
right cone
9. : of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object
made sure the socks were right side out
10. : acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact
time proved her right
11.
a. : being in good physical or mental health or order
not in his right mind
b. : being in a correct or proper state
put things right
12. : most favorable or desired : preferable ; also : socially acceptable
knew all the right people
13. often capitalized : of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right especially in politics
Synonyms: see correct
• right·ness noun
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English riht, from riht, adjective
Date: before 12th century
1. : qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval
2. : something to which one has a just claim: as
a. : the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled
voting right s
his right to decide
b.
(1) : the interest that one has in a piece of property — often used in plural
mineral right s
(2) plural : the property interest possessed under law or custom and agreement in an intangible thing especially of a literary and artistic nature
film right s of the novel
3. : something that one may properly claim as due
knowing the truth is her right
4. : the cause of truth or justice
5.
a. : right hand 1a ; also : a blow struck with this hand
gave him a hard right on the jaw
b. : the location or direction of the right side
woods on his right
c. : the part on the right side
d. : right field
e. : a turn to the right
take a right at the stop sign
6.
a. : the true account or correct interpretation
b. : the quality or state of being factually correct
7. often capitalized
a. : the part of a legislative chamber located to the right of the presiding officer
b. : the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the right as a result of holding more conservative political views than other members
8.
a. often capitalized : individuals professing support of the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and conservative governmental policies
b. often capitalized : a conservative position
9.
a. : a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price
b. : the negotiable certificate evidencing such privilege — usually used in plural
• right·most -ˌmōst adjective
•
- by rights
- in one's own right
- of right
- to rights
III. adverb
Date: before 12th century
1. : according to right
live right
2. : in the exact location, position, or moment : precisely
right at his fingertips
quit right then and there
3. : in a suitable, proper, or desired manner
knew he wasn't doing it right
4. : in a direct line, course, or manner : directly , straight
go right home
came right out and said it
5. : according to fact or truth : truly
guessed right
6.
a. : all the way
windows right to the floor
b. : in a complete manner
felt right at home
7. : without delay : immediately
right after lunch
8. : to a great degree : very
a right pleasant day
9. : on or to the right
looked left and right
IV. verb
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1.
a. : to do justice to : redress the injuries of
so just is God to right the innocent — Shakespeare
b. : justify , vindicate
felt the need to right himself in court
2. : avenge
vows to right the injustice done to his family
3.
a. : to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition
right the economy
b. : to bring or restore to an upright position
right a capsized boat
intransitive verb
: to become upright
• right·er noun