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➡️ On the right side 🤚 Right-handed
dextral

dextral

1 8.8
On the right side or turning to the right, like a shell
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɛkstrəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diestro
  • The snail's dextral shell curves to the right as you follow it from the apex.

Examples

  • The surgeon made an incision on the patient's dextral side.

  • A dextral organism typically shows a preference for its right side.

  • Geologists can determine fault motion by identifying whether the movement is sinistral or dextral.

  • Many species of snails are dextral in their shell coiling.

  • Most people are dextral and use their right hand for writing.

  • The dextral spiral of the seashell is a beautiful sight.

  • In dextral species, the heart is typically located on the right side of the body.

Synonyms

dextrorsal
vsdextral
  • Specialized
9.9

A spiral that turns upward or outward to the right, like vines and shells

refers more generally to being on or turning toward the right side
dextrorse
vsdextral
  • Specialized
9.9

Twisting upward from left to right, especially in plant stems seen from below

is generally used for being on or turning toward the right side
dextrorotatory
vsdextral
  • Specialized
9.9

Rotating polarized light to the right when light passes through a substance

covers being on or turning toward the right side rather than light rotation
dextrorotary
vsdextral
  • Specialized
9.9

Turns polarized light to the right when seen along the beam

means being on or oriented toward the right side rather than light rotation
dexter
vsdextral
  • Jargon
9.9

The right side of a shield as seen by the person holding it, which looks left to someone facing it

applies more generally to being on or turning toward the right side

Antonyms

sinistral
  • Specialized
1 9.9

On the left side of animals or objects, for example a flatfish

How Right-Sided

dextral
  • Specialized
1 8.8
bilateral
2 5.7
sinistral
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Surface Forms

dextral positive

Morphology

dextral = dexter (transparent) = dextr + al

The suffix '-al' is a common adjective-forming suffix, making the meaning clear as relating to 'dexter' or the right side.

Etymology

Dextral comes from the Latin dexter, meaning 'right', and appears in words like ambidextrous and dexterity. That's why scientists use dextral to describe something on the right side, turning to the right, or a shell that curves to the right.