I. ˈdekstə(r) adjective
Etymology: Latin; akin to Old High German zeso relating to or situated on the right, Gothic taihswa, Greek dexiteros, dexios, Sanskrit dakṣiṇa relating to or situated on the right, Latin decēre to be fitting — more at decent
1. : relating to or situated on the right
the dexter wing of a fowl
2. : being or relating to the side of a heraldic shield or escutcheon at the right of the person wearing it
3. : appearing or facing toward the right and considered of good omen : auspicious , fortunate
on sounding wings a dexter eagle flew — Alexander Pope
II. adverb
: on the right side
III. noun
Etymology: probably after Mr. Dexter, 19th century Irish stockbreeder who originated it
1. usually capitalized : a breed of small short-legged hardy cattle originating from the Kerry breed of Ireland, being usually chiefly black or sometimes red, and carrying in heterozygous condition the gene that when homozygous causes the bulldog calf — compare achondroplasia
2. -s often capitalized : any animal of the Dexter breed