An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A combining form meaning “right” and “turning clockwise,” used in the formation of compound words, e.g. → dextrorotatory, dextrocardia, dextrocular, etc. The variant dextr- occurs before vowels. Compare → levo-.

Etymology (EN): From L. dextr-, from dexter “right, right-hand;” cf.
Gk. dexios “right,” dexiteros “located on the right side;” Av. dašina- “right; south” ( Mid.Pers. dašn “right hand; " Ossetic dæsni “skillful, dexterous”); Skt. dáksina- “right; southern;” Goth. taihswo “right hand;” O.Ir. dess “on the right hand, southern;” PIE base *deks- “right;” + epenthetic vowel -o-; see also → south.

Etymology (PE): Râst- from râst, → right.