The right side of a shield from the wearer's standpoint, and the left side to the viewer.
"The farmer raised several dexter cattle on his pasture to produce both high-quality beef and fresh milk."
One of a breed of small hardy cattle originating from the Kerry breed of Ireland, valuable for beef and milk. They are usually chiefly black, sometimes red, and somewhat resemble a small shorthorn in build.
In plain English: Dexter is an old-fashioned word used to describe something that happens on your right side, especially when you are facing north or looking at someone else's left hand.
"The dexterity required for this job is something that few people possess naturally."
Right; on the right-hand side.
"The dexter hand is the one located on the right side of the body when facing forward."
In plain English: Dexter means something that is on your right side, just like how you hold most things with your dominant hand if you are right-handed.
"The dexter hand is technically known in anatomy but rarely used outside of medical contexts, so here is a sentence reflecting its specific technical usage: The surgeon carefully positioned his dexter arm to stabilize the patient's wrist during the procedure."
Usage: Use this adjective primarily in heraldic contexts or formal descriptions rather than casual speech. Avoid confusing it with "sinister," which specifically denotes the opposite direction relative to the observer's viewpoint.
An occupational surname, from occupations for a female dyer.
"The family tree shows that Dexter was originally an occupational surname derived from the work of female dyers."
The word dexter comes directly from the Latin term meaning "right." It entered English with that same original sense of referring to the right side or hand.