̈ɪraɪt adj., n.,
v., adv., & int. --adj. 1 (of
conduct etc.)
just, morally or socially
correct (it is
only right to tell
you; I
want to do
the right thing). 2
true, correct;
not mistaken (the right
time; you
were right
about the weather). 3
less wrong or not wrong (which is the right
way to town?). 4
more or
most suitable or
preferable (the right
person for the job;
along the right lines). 5 in a
sound or
normal condition; physically or mentally
healthy;
satisfactory (the
engine doesn't sound right). 6 a on or
towards the
side of the
human body which corresponds to the
position of
east if
one regards
oneself as
facing north. b on or towards
that part of an
object which is
analogous to a person's right side or (with
opposite sense) which is nearer to a spectator's right
hand. 7 (of a side of
fabric etc.)
meant for
display or
use (turn it right side up). 8 colloq. or
archaic real;
properly so called (made a right
mess of
it; a right
royal welcome). --n. 1 that which is morally or socially correct or just; fair
treatment (often in
pl.: the rights
and wrongs of the case). 2 (often foll. by
to, or to + infin.) a justification or fair
claim (has no right to
speak like that). 3 a
thing one
may legally or morally claim; the
state of
being entitled to a
privilege or
immunity or
authority to
act (a right of
reply; human rights). 4 the right-hand part or
region or
direction. 5
Boxing a the right hand. b a blow
with this. 6 (often Right) Polit. a a
group or
section favouring conservatism (orig. the more
conservative section of a
continental legislature, seated on the president's right). b
such conservatives collectively. 7 the side of a
stage which is to the right of a person facing the
audience. 8 (esp. in marching) the right
foot. 9 the right
wing of an
army. --v.tr. 1 (often refl.)
restore to a
proper or
straight or
vertical position. 2 a correct (mistakes etc.); set in
order. b
avenge (a wrong or a wronged person);
make reparation for or to. c
vindicate,
justify,
rehabilitate. --adv. 1 straight (go right on). 2 colloq.
immediately;
without delay (I'll be right
back; do it right now). 3 a (foll. by to,
round,
through, etc.)
all the way (sank right to the
bottom;
ran right round the block). b (foll. by
off,
out, etc.) completely (came right off
its hinges; am right out of butter). 4
exactly,
quite (right in the middle). 5 justly, properly, correctly,
truly, satisfactorily (did not act right; not
holding it right; if I
remember right). 6 on or to the right side. 7 archaic
very; to the full (am right glad to
hear it; dined right royally). --int. colloq. expressing
agreement or
assent. øas right as
rain perfectly sound and healthy. at right angles placed to
form a right
angle. by right (or rights) if right were
done. do right by act dutifully towards (a person). in one's
own right through one's own position or
effort etc. in the right having
justice or
truth on one's side. in one's right
mind sane;
competent to
think and act. of (or as of) right having
legal or
moral etc. entitlement. on the right side of 1 in the
favour of (a person etc.). 2
somewhat less
than (a specified age). put (or set) right 1 restore to order,
health, etc. 2 correct the mistaken
impression etc. of (a person). put (or set) to rights make correct or well ordered. right about (or
about-turn or about-face) 1 a right
turn continued to
face the rear. 2 a reversal of policy. 3 a
hasty retreat. right and left (or right, left, and centre) on all sides. right angle an angle of 90Û,
made by lines
meeting with
equal angles on
either side. right-angled 1 containing or
making a right angle. 2 involving right angles, not
oblique. right arm one's most
reliable helper. right
ascension see ASCENSION. right
away (or off) immediately. right bank the bank of a
river on the right facing
downstream. right bower see
BOWER(3). right
field Baseball the part of the
outfield to the right of the batter as he faces the pitcher. right hand 1 = right-hand
man. 2 the most
important position
next to a person (stand at God's right hand). right-hand adj. 1 on or towards the right side of a person or thing (right-hand drive). 2 done with the right hand (right-hand blow). 3 (of a screw) =
RIGHT-HANDED 4b. right-hand man an
indispensable or
chief assistant. Right
Honourable Brit. a
title given to
certain high officials, e.g.
Privy Counsellors. right-minded (or -thinking) having sound views and principles. right of
search Naut. see SEARCH. right of way 1 a right established by
usage to pass
over another's ground. 2 a
path subject to such a right. 3 the right of one
vehicle to
proceed before another. right oh! (or ho!) =
RIGHTO. right on! colloq. an
expression of
strong approval or encouragement. a right one Brit. colloq. a
silly or
foolish person. Right
Reverend see REVEREND. right
sphere Astron. see SPHERE. right turn a turn that brings one's
front to face as one's right side
did before. right whale
any large-headed whale of the
family Balaenidae,
rich in
whalebone and
easily captured. right wing 1 the right side of a
football etc.
team on the field. 2 the conservative section of a
political party or
system. right-wing adj. conservative or
reactionary. right-winger a person on the right wing. right you are! colloq. an
exclamation of assent. she's (or she'll be) right
Austral. colloq. that will be all right.
too right sl. an expression of agreement.
within one's rights not
exceeding one's authority or entitlement. øørightable adj. righter n. rightish adj. rightless adj. rightlessness n. rightness n. [OE riht (adj.), rihtan (v.), rihte (adv.)]