right

²right

noun

Definition of RIGHT

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

— right·most \-ˌmōst\ adjective

— by rights also by all rights

: with reason or justice : properly

— in one's own right

: by virtue of one's own qualifications or properties

— of right

1

: as an absolute right

2

: legally or morally exactable

— to rights

: into proper order

Examples of RIGHT

1. We discussed the rights and wrongs of genetic cloning.
2. women fighting for equal rights
3. Knowing the truth is her right.

Origin of RIGHT

Middle English, from Old English riht, from riht, adjective

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to RIGHT

Synonyms: appanage (also apanage), birthright, prerogative

Antonyms: inequity, injustice, raw deal, wrong

Related Words: call, dibs, due, entitlement, perquisite, pretense (or pretence), pretension, privilege

Near Antonyms: disclaimer, quitclaim, release, waiver

see all synonyms and antonyms

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