by right
2
4.8
- idiom
- Formal
:
por derecho
- By right, every citizen should have access to basic healthcare.
Examples
-
By right, all of this should have been mine!
-
You are in America after all; you are an American by right and birth, but at the same time, you are not.
Academic text (1999) -
If it's yours by right.
-
So you're only taking back what is yours by right?
-
It is his by right.
-
The minute the minimum level of democracy is applied to Jordan, the Palestinian majority would, by right, take over the political momentum.
Academic text (2012) -
The poor and destitute are entitled to access wealth by right.
Academic text (2007) -
They're ours by right.
-
They're hers by right.
-
She believes she is entitled to her inheritance by right.
Synonyms
421
2.8
In a way that the law allows
113
2.6
In a fair way because someone deserves it
72
3.7
In a fair and legal way
62
3.7
In a way that follows the law or accepted rules
39
2.5
In a way that the law allows
20
3.4
In a fair and honest way
4
5.6
Something should happen because it is fair or proper
1
8.2
In a way that follows the law
1
8.4
In a way that concerns the law
According to law or right, even if not true in practice
In a way that relates to law and rights
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
by + right
The preposition 'by' (indicating basis or according to) combined with 'right' (legal or moral entitlement) directly yields the meaning 'according to one's entitlement' or 'legitimately.' This composition follows a common pattern (compare 'by law', 'by chance') and is cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase by right comes from legal speech where by means 'according to' and right means a 'lawful claim'. Imagine a judge pointing to a rule and saying someone has something by right — that's why it now means 'by law' or 'rightly'.