Part 352

Chaucer.

I should have been a woman by right.

Shak.

-- Divine right, or Divine right of kings, a name given to the patriarchal theory of government, especially to the doctrine that no misconduct and no dispossession can forfeit the right of a monarch or his heirs to the throne, and to the obedience of the people. -- To rights. (a) In a direct line; straight. [R.] Woodward. (b) At once; directly. [Obs. or Colloq.] Swift. -- To set to rights, To put to rights, to put in good order; to adjust; to regulate, as what is out of order. -- Writ of right (Law), a writ which lay to recover lands in fee simple, unjustly withheld from the true owner. Blackstone.

Right, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Righted; p. pr. & vb. n. Righting.] [AS. rihtan. See Right, a.] 1. To bring or restore to the proper or natural position; to set upright; to make right or straight (that which has been wrong or crooked); to correct.

2. To do justice to; to relieve from wrong; to restore rights to; to assert or regain the rights of; as, to right the oppressed; to right one's self; also, to vindicate.

So just is God, to right the innocent.

Shak.

All experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

Jefferson.

To right a vessel (Naut.), to restore her to an upright position after careening. -- To right the helm (Naut.), to place it in line with the keel.

Right, v. i. 1. To recover the proper or natural condition or position; to become upright.

2. (Naut.) Hence, to regain an upright position, as a ship or boat, after careening.

Right"-a*bout` (?), n. [Right, adv. + about, adv.] A turning directly about by the right, so as to face in the opposite direction; also, the quarter directly opposite; as, to turn to the right-about.

To send to the right-about, to cause to turn toward the opposite point or quarter; -- hence, of troops, to cause to turn and retreat. [Colloq.] Sir W. Scott.

Right"-an`gled (?), a. Containing a right angle or right angles; as, a right-angled triangle.

Right"en (?), v. t. To do justice to. [Obs.]

Relieve [marginal reading, righten] the opressed.

Isa. i. 17.

Right"eous (?), a. [OE. rightways, rightwise, AS. rightws; riht right + ws wise, having wisdom, prudent. See Right, a., Wise, a.] Doing, or according with, that which is right; yielding to all their due; just; equitable; especially, free from wrong, guilt, or sin; holy; as, a righteous man or act; a righteous retribution.

Fearless in his righteous cause.

Milton.

Syn. -- Upright; just; godly; holy; uncorrupt; virtuous; honest; equitable; rightful.

Right"eoused (?), a. Made righteous. [Obs.]

Right"eous*ly (?), adv. [AS. rightwslce.] In a righteous manner; as, to judge righteously.

Right"eous*ness, n. [AS. rihtwsnes.] 1. The quality or state of being righteous; holiness; purity; uprightness; rectitude.

Righteousness, as used in Scripture and theology, in which it chiefly occurs, is nearly equivalent to holiness, comprehending holy principles and affections of heart, and conformity of life to the divine law.

2. A righteous act, or righteous quality.