right

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Old English riht; akin to Old High German reht right, Latin rectus straight, right, regere to lead straight, direct, rule, rogare to ask, Greek oregein to stretch out Date: before 12th century 1. righteous, upright 2. being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper <

right conduct

> 3. conforming to facts or truth ; correct <

the right answer

> 4. suitable, appropriate <

the right man for the job

> 5. straight <

a right line

> 6. genuine, real 7. a. of, relating to, situated on, or being the side of the body which is away from the side on which the heart is mostly located b. located nearer to the right hand than to the left c. located to the right of an observer facing the object specified or directed as the right arm would point when raised out to the side d. (1) located on the right of an observer facing in the same direction as the object specified <

stage right

> (2) located on the right when facing downstream <

the right bank of a river

> e. done with the right hand <

a right hook to the jaw

> 8. having the axis perpendicular to the base <

right cone

> 9. of, relating to, or constituting the principal or more prominent side of an object <

made sure the socks were right side out

> 10. acting or judging in accordance with truth or fact <

time proved her right

> 11. a. being in good physical or mental health or order <

not in his right mind

> b. being in a correct or proper state <

put things right

> 12. most favorable or desired ; preferable; also socially acceptable <

knew all the right people

> 13. often capitalized of, adhering to, or constituted by the Right especially in politics Synonyms: see correct • rightness noun II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English riht, from riht, adjective Date: before 12th century 1. qualities (as adherence to duty or obedience to lawful authority) that together constitute the ideal of moral propriety or merit moral approval 2. something to which one has a just claim: as a. the power or privilege to which one is justly entitled <

voting rights

> <

his right to decide

> b. (1) the interest that one has in a piece of property — often used in plural <

mineral rights

> (2) plural the property interest possessed under law or custom and agreement in an intangible thing especially of a literary and artistic nature <

film rights of the novel

> 3. something that one may properly claim as due <

knowing the truth is her right

> 4. the cause of truth or justice 5. a. right hand 1a; also a blow struck with this hand <

gave him a hard right on the jaw

> b. the location or direction of the right side <

woods on his right

> c. the part on the right side d. right field e. a turn to the right <

take a right at the stop sign

> 6. a. the true account or correct interpretation b. the quality or state of being factually correct 7. often capitalized a. the part of a legislative chamber located to the right of the presiding officer b. the members of a continental European legislative body occupying the right as a result of holding more conservative political views than other members 8. a. often capitalized individuals professing support of the established order and favoring traditional attitudes and practices and conservative governmental policies b. often capitalized a conservative position 9. a. a privilege given stockholders to subscribe pro rata to a new issue of securities generally below market price b. the negotiable certificate evidencing such privilege — usually used in plural • rightmost adjective III. adverb Date: before 12th century 1. according to right <

live right

> 2. in the exact location, position, or moment ; precisely <

right at his fingertips

> <

quit right then and there

> 3. in a suitable, proper, or desired manner <

knew he wasn't doing it right

> 4. in a direct line, course, or manner ; directly, straight <

go right home

> <

came right out and said it

> 5. according to fact or truth ; truly <

guessed right

> 6. a. all the way <

windows right to the floor

> b. in a complete manner <

felt right at home

> 7. without delay ; immediately <

right after lunch

> 8. to a great degree ; very <

a right pleasant day

> 9. on or to the right <

looked left and right

> IV. verb Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. a. to do justice to ; redress the injuries of <

so just is God to right the innocent — Shakespeare

> b. justify, vindicate <

felt the need to right himself in court

> 2. avenge <

vows to right the injustice done to his family

> 3. a. to adjust or restore to the proper state or condition <

right the economy

> b. to bring or restore to an upright position <

right a capsized boat

> intransitive verb to become upright • righter noun