- right hand
- right hand figurative for "indispensable person," 1520s; right-hand man first attested 1660s.
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
right hand
Look at other dictionaries:
right´-hand´ed|ly — right hand|ed «RYT HAN dihd», adjective, adverb. –adj. 1. using the right hand more easily and readily than the left: »So Uncle Bob started early to convert a naturally right handed boy into a southpaw (Time). 2. done with the right hand. 3. made … Useful english dictionary
right-hand|ed — «RYT HAN dihd», adjective, adverb. –adj. 1. using the right hand more easily and readily than the left: »So Uncle Bob started early to convert a naturally right handed boy into a southpaw (Time). 2. done with the right hand. 3. made to be used… … Useful english dictionary
Right hand — Hand Hand (h[a^]nd), n. [AS. hand, hond; akin to D., G., & Sw. hand, OHG. hant, Dan. haand, Icel. h[ o]nd, Goth. handus, and perh. to Goth. hin[thorn]an to seize (in comp.). Cf. {Hunt}.] 1. That part of the fore limb below the forearm or wrist in … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Right-hand — a. 1. Situated or being on the right; nearer the right hand than the left; as, the right hand side, room, or road. [1913 Webster] 2. Chiefly relied on; almost indispensable. [1913 Webster] Mr. Alexander Truncheon, who is their right hand man in … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
right-hand — right ,hand adjective only before noun 1. ) on the right or toward the right of someone or something: I sleep on the right hand side of the bed. the third paragraph of the right hand column 2. ) designed or intended for the right hand: a right… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
right-hand — adj [only before noun] on the right side of something ≠ ↑left hand ▪ the right hand side of the body top/bottom right hand corner ▪ the bottom right hand corner of the page … Dictionary of contemporary English
right-hand — [rīt′hand′] adj. 1. being on or directed toward the right 2. of, for, or with the right hand 3. most helpful or reliable [the president s right hand man] 4. plain laid … English World dictionary
right hand — ► NOUN 1) the hand of a person s right side. 2) the region or direction on the right side. 3) the most important position next to someone. ► ADJECTIVE 1) on or towards the right side. 2) done with or using the right hand … English terms dictionary
right-hand — right hand; right hand·er; right hand·wise; … English syllables
right-hand — right′ hand′ adj. 1) located on the right 2) right handed 3) being of great assistance: my right hand man[/ex] … From formal English to slang
right-hand|er — «RYT HAN duhr», noun. 1. a right handed person. 2. a right handed baseball pitcher. 3. a blow given by the right hand … Useful english dictionary
