right hand

¹

noun

1. the hand that is on the right side, or the side opposite that where the heart is.
2. the right side, as of a person, especially this side considered as the side of precedence or courtesy.
3. a position of honor or special trust.
4. an extremely efficient or reliable person or, sometimes, tool, especially a person considered as one's assistant.

right-hand

²

[ rahyt-hand ]

adjective

1. on the right.
2. of, for, or with the right hand.
3. most reliable, valuable, or useful, as a helper or assistant.
4. plain-laid.
5. Also Building Trades.
   1. (of a door) having the hinges on the right when seen from the exterior of the building, room, closet, etc., to which the doorway leads.
   2. (of a casement sash) having the hinges on the right when seen from inside the window.

right-hand

adjective

1. of, relating to, located on, or moving towards the right

   a right-hand bend

   this car has right-hand drive

2. for use by the right hand; right-handed
3. right-hand man
   right-hand man one's most valuable assistant or supporter

Word History and Origins

Origin of right hand¹

before 1000; Middle English; Old English

Origin of right hand²

adj. use of right hand

Example Sentences

During the airing of the new security camera footage, Cassidy was clearly troubled, his right hand alternating between his temple and his mouth.

From Washington Post

It then takes half a second — maybe less — for the grounder to travel into his glove, between his legs and to his right hand before he flicks the ball to a second baseman off-screen.

From Washington Post

At one point, the warrant says, he moves the cup from his left hand to his right hand.

From Washington Post

The rear and front brake controls are in their usual spots—engaged using your right foot, and right hand, respectively.

From Popular-Science

In his right hand is a longbow with the word “Persistence” burned into the riser.

From Popular-Science

He was holding up a paper as a woman approached with a child on her left hip, pushing an empty stroller with her right hand.

From The Daily Beast

Or this: the right-hand side of the body is more honorable and therefore hotter than the left.

From The Daily Beast

But the accent is just as clearly Trinidadian as he cracks jokes about a severed head he holds by the hair in his right hand.

From The Daily Beast

He holds up his right hand—“A short chop right above the bridge of the nose”—and gives up a laugh.

From The Daily Beast

The trooper reached with her right hand for her expandable baton.

From The Daily Beast

She is quite true, but not wise, and your left hand must not know what your right hand is doing.

From Project Gutenberg

During this conversation Harry's right hand was resting beneath his jacket, grasping the butt of his revolver.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact a spot of blood, slightly larger than that which had appeared before, showed plainly upon the Professor's right hand.

From Project Gutenberg

In fact, on the Professor's right hand there showed a drop of blood, perceptibly larger this time than before.

From Project Gutenberg

MacRae's heels clicked together and his right hand went up in the stiff military salute.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• crucial
• fundamental
• imperative
• important
• indispensable
• main
• necessary
• needed
• vital