Disputatio:Laboratorium Dexterum
Dexterum?[fontem recensere]
Is Dexter the short English form of something else? or is it just Dexter as in dextrus, -a, -um? wouldn't it then be "Dextris" because it finishes in -er?--Xaverius 12:07, 15 Iunii 2007 (UTC)
- Is the personal name Dexter, -ri? or Dexter, -ris? That is: 2nd or 3rd declension? IacobusAmor 12:20, 15 Iunii 2007 (UTC)
- If it's any help (I bet it isn't) Dexter as an English surname is an old agent noun meaning dyer. And I imagine that those who call their children Dexter are basing their choice on the surname, not on right and left. In other words, the English name is not the same word as the Latin adjective. Andrew Dalby (disputatio) 13:59, 15 Iunii 2007 (UTC)
- This website (and many others) say that you're half-right, half-wrong. They say that Dexter could be latin for 'right-handed' or could mean 'female dyer'. If it is 'on the right' or 'right-handed' (which I guess it is, since he is a male character), This site explains it clearly as Dexter (-tri). --Harrissimo 18:17, 19 Iulii 2007 (UTC)
- Well, thanks, Harrissimo. "Half-right, half-wrong" is about as good as I ever get :) Andrew Dalby (disputatio) 18:47, 19 Iulii 2007 (UTC)
- This website (and many others) say that you're half-right, half-wrong. They say that Dexter could be latin for 'right-handed' or could mean 'female dyer'. If it is 'on the right' or 'right-handed' (which I guess it is, since he is a male character), This site explains it clearly as Dexter (-tri). --Harrissimo 18:17, 19 Iulii 2007 (UTC)
- If it's any help (I bet it isn't) Dexter as an English surname is an old agent noun meaning dyer. And I imagine that those who call their children Dexter are basing their choice on the surname, not on right and left. In other words, the English name is not the same word as the Latin adjective. Andrew Dalby (disputatio) 13:59, 15 Iunii 2007 (UTC)