Dexter vs. Sinister: What's the Difference?
Dexter and Sinister Definitions
Dexter
Of or located on the right side.
Sinister
Suggesting or threatening harm or evil
A sinister smile.
Dexter
(Heraldry) Situated on or being the side of a shield on the wearer's right and the observer's left.
Sinister
Causing or intending harm or evil; wicked
A sinister conspiracy.
Dexter
(Obsolete) Auspicious; favorable.
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Sinister
Portending misfortune or disaster; ominous
Sinister storm clouds.
Dexter
Right; on the right-hand side. In heraldry, specifically the bearer's right, which is the viewer's left.
Sinister
Attended by or causing misfortune or disaster
"The day has passed without any sinister accident" (John Quincy Adams).
Dexter
(heraldry) The right side of a shield from the wearer's standpoint, which is the left side for the viewer.
Sinister
(Archaic) On the left side; left.
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Dexter
The right hand.
Sinister
(Heraldry) Situated on or being the side of a shield on the wearer's left and the observer's right.
Dexter
Pertaining to, or situated on, the right hand; right, as opposed to sinister, or left.
On sounding wings a dexter eagle flew.
Sinister
Inauspicious, ominous, unlucky, illegitimate (as in bar sinister).
Dexter
On the right-hand side of a shield, i. e., towards the right hand of its wearer. To a spectator in front, as in a pictorial representation, this would be the left side.
Sinister
Evil or seemingly evil; indicating lurking danger or harm.
Sinister influences
The sinister atmosphere of the crypt
Dexter
One of a breed of small hardy cattle originating from the Kerry breed of Ireland, valuable both for beef and milk. They are usually chiefly black, sometimes red, and somewhat resemble a small shorthorn in build. Called also Dexter Kerry.
Sinister
(archaic) Of the left side.
Dexter
On or starting from the wearer's left
Sinister
(heraldry) On the left side of a shield from the wearer's standpoint, and the right side to the viewer.
Sinister
(obsolete) Wrong, as springing from indirection or obliquity; perverse; dishonest.
Sinister
On the left hand, or the side of the left hand; left; - opposed to dexter, or right.
My mother's bloodRuns on the dexter cheek, and this sinisterBounds in my father's
Sinister
Unlucky; inauspicious; disastrous; injurious; evil; - the left being usually regarded as the unlucky side; as, sinister influences.
All the several ills that visit earth,Brought forth by night, with a sinister birth.
Sinister
Wrong, as springing from indirection or obliquity; perverse; dishonest; corrupt; as, sinister aims.
Nimble and sinister tricks and shifts.
He scorns to undermine another's interest by any sinister or inferior arts.
He read in their looks . . . sinister intentions directed particularly toward himself.
Sinister
Indicative of lurking evil or harm; boding covert danger; as, a sinister countenance.
Sinister
Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments;
A baleful look
Forbidding thunderclouds
His tone became menacing
Ominous rumblings of discontent
Sinister storm clouds
A sinister smile
His threatening behavior
Ugly black clouds
The situation became ugly
Sinister
Stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable;
Black deeds
A black lie
His black heart has concocted yet another black deed
Darth Vader of the dark side
A dark purpose
Dark undercurrents of ethnic hostility
The scheme of some sinister intelligence bent on punishing him
Sinister
On or starting from the wearer's left;
Bar sinister
