Emily Dickinson Lexicon

RIGHT, n.

1. Conformity to the will of God, or to his law, the perfect standard of truth and justice. In the literal sense, right is a straight line of conduct, and wrong a crooked one. Right therefore is rectitude or straightness, and perfect rectitude is found only in an infinite Being and his will.
2. Conformity to human laws, or to other human standard of truth, propriety or justice. When laws are definite, right and wrong are easily ascertained and understood. In arts, there are some principles and rules which determine what is right. In many things indifferent, or left without positive law, we are to judge what is right by fitness or propriety, by custom, civility or other circumstances.
3. Justice; that which is due or proper; as, to do right to every man. Long love to her has borne the faithful knight, / And well deserv'd, had fortune done him right. – Dryden.
4. Freedom from error; conformity with truth or fact. Seldom your opinions err, / Your eyes are always in the right. – Prior.
5. Just claim; legal title; ownership; the legal power of exclusive possession and enjoyment. In hereditary monarchies, a right to the throne vests in the heir on the decease of the king. A deed vests the right of possession in the purchaser of land. Right and possession are very different things. We often have occasion to demand and sue for rights not in possession.
6. Just claim by courtesy, customs, or the principles of civility and decorum. Every man has a right to civil treatment. The magistrate has a right to respect.
7. Just claim by sovereignty; prerogative. God, as the author of all things, has a right to govern and dispose of them at his pleasure.
8. That which justly belongs to one. Born free, he sought his right. – Dryden.
9. Property; interest. A subject in his prince may claim a right. – Dryden.
10. Just claim; immunity; privilege. All men have a right to the secure enjoyment of life, personal safety, liberty and property. We deem the right of trial by jury invaluable, particularly in the case of crimes. Rights are natural, civil, political, religious, personal, and public.
11. Authority; legal power. We have no right to disturb others in the enjoyment of their religious opinions.
12. In the United States, a tract of land; or a share or proportion of property, as in a mine or manufactory.
13. The side opposite to the left; as, on the right. Look to the right. To rights, in a direct line; straight. [Unusual.] – Woodward. #2. Directly; soon. To set to rights, or To put to rights, to put into good order; to adjust; to regulate what is out of order. Bill of rights, a list of rights; a paper containing a declaration of rights, or the declaration itself. Writ of right, a writ which lies to recover lands in fee simple, unjustly withheld from the true owner. – Blackstone.