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Glite Dictionary
bend dexter

bend dexter

9.9
A diagonal band on a shield running from the top right to the bottom left as seen by the bearer
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : banda dexter
  • A bend dexter is often used in heraldry to symbolize defense or protection.

Examples

  • The family crest features a bend dexter in bright gold across a blue field.

  • He explained that the bend dexter on the shield indicates the bearer's allegiance.

  • Look at the bend dexter!

  • The bend dexter on the family crest is beautifully designed.

  • A bend dexter is often used in heraldry to symbolize defense or protection.

  • The family crest features a bend dexter in bright gold across a blue field.

  • He explained that the bend dexter on the shield indicates the bearer's allegiance.

Synonyms

bend
vsbend dexter
  • Specialized
7 9.3

A wide diagonal band on a shield from top right to bottom left

is the same diagonal stripe but without emphasizing width
bend sinister
vsbend dexter
  • Specialized
9.9

A diagonal band on a shield from top right to bottom left often marking a child born outside marriage

is the plain diagonal stripe without the traditional illegitimacy meaning

Surface Forms

bend dexter singular
bend dexters plural

Morphology

bend + dexter

The phrase is fully compositional: 'bend' names a diagonal band on a shield and 'dexter' specifies the right side, so together they denote a right-sided diagonal band (i.e. running from the bearer's upper right to lower left). While the heraldic perspective (bearer vs viewer) is a domain-specific convention, the semantic contribution of each constituent is transparent, so a learner who knows both words can infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Bend dexter comes from old shield pictures and names a diagonal stripe on a shield. In this phrase bend means a slanted band and dexter means 'right', so it describes a stripe that runs from the 'top right' (from the person holding the shield) to the 'bottom left'.