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  3. /dexter

dexter

Latin

right (direction), skillful

Variants:dexterdext
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About This Root

From Latin dexter (right hand, right side, skillful). In Roman culture, the right side was considered favorable and skillful. This gives us dexterity (manual skill), dexterous, and ambidextrous (literally "right-handed on both sides"). The association of right-handedness with competence is baked into the etymology.

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Associated Words · 3

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dexterity

Skill and ease in using one's hands or mind

dexterous

Skillful and nimble with one's hands

ambidextrous

Able to use both hands equally well