right<alt> is dead

[Gary Turner <kk5st@swbell.net>]

OK, this ignorant newbie needs help.  My right<alt> key is dead (I
think).  The literature I've seen specify using left<alt>, implicitly
implying right<alt> has another function or is dead.  How do I
resuscitate this useful key?  The XF86Config file shows how to handle
key mapping in X.  I'm not using X.

emacs inherits this dead key.  I can map, say, M-<somekey>, but can't
find a way to deal with right<alt> by itself.

I'm guessing this can be fixed in some init or bashrc type file.  Any
help?

I really prefer Meta as right<alt>-x, -c, -v, -f, -q, -w, -<F1> --well
you get the idea.

gt
Yes I fear I am living beyond my mental means--Nash