Chapter Dewberry to Diadem of D by Webster's Dictionary (1913 Edition)

1. Pertaining to, or situated on, the right hand; right, as opposed to sinister, or left.

On sounding wings a dexter eagle flew.

Pope.

2. (Her.) On the right-hand side of a shield, i. e., towards the right hand of its wearer. To a spectator in front, as in a pictorial representation, this would be the left side.

Dexter chief, or Dexter point (Her.), a point in the dexter upper corner of the shield, being in the dexter extremity of the chief, as A in the cut. — Dexter base, a point in the dexter lower part or base of the shield, as B in the cut.

Dexterical
(Dex*ter"i*cal) a. Dexterous. [Obs.]

Dexterity
(Dex*ter"i*ty) n. [L. dexteritas, fr. dexter: cf. F. dextérité. See Dexter.]

1. Right-handedness.

2. Readiness and grace in physical activity; skill and ease in using the hands; expertness in manual acts; as, dexterity with the chisel.

In youth quick bearing and dexterity.

Shak.

3. Readiness in the use or control of the mental powers; quickness and skill in managing any complicated or difficult affair; adroitness.

His wisdom . . . was turned . . . into a dexterity to deliver himself.

Bacon.

He had conducted his own defense with singular boldness and dexterity.

Hallam.

Syn. — Adroitness; activity; nimbleness; expertness; skill; cleverness; art; ability; address; tact; facility; aptness; aptitude; faculty. See Skill.

Dexterous
(Dex"ter*ous) a. [L. dexter. See Dexter.] [Written also dextrous.]

1. Ready and expert in the use of the body and limbs; skillful and active with the hands; handy; ready; as, a dexterous hand; a dexterous workman.

2. Skillful in contrivance; quick at inventing expedients; expert; as, a dexterous manager.

Dexterous the craving, fawning crowd to quit.

Pope.

3. Done with dexterity; skillful; artful; as, dexterous management. "Dexterous sleights of hand." Trench.

Syn. — Adroit; active; expert; skillful; clever; able; ready; apt; handy; versed.

Dexterously
(Dex"ter*ous*ly) adv. In a dexterous manner; skillfully.

Dexterousness
(Dex"ter*ous*ness), n. The quality of being dexterous; dexterity.

Dextrad
(Dex"trad) adv. [L. dextra the right hand + ad to.] (Anat.) Toward the right side; dextrally.

Dextral
(Dex"tral) a. [From Dexter.] Right, as opposed to sinistral, or left.

Dextral shell (Zoöl.), a spiral shell the whorls of which turn from left right, or like the hands of a watch when the apex of the spire is toward the eye of the observer.