Lateral
Lateral , adjective
[Latin lateralis, from latus, lateris, side: compare French latéral.]
1.
Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
2.
(Anatomy) Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; -- opposed to mesial.
3.
Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing.
Collocations (6)
Lateral cleavage (Crystallography) , cleavage parallel to the lateral planes.
Lateral equation (Mathematics) , an equation of the first degree. [Obsolete]
Lateral line (Anatomy) , in fishes, a line of sensory organs along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct line of color.
Lateral pressure or stress (Mechanics) , a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; -- distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress.
Lateral strength (Mechanics) , strength which resists a tendency to fracture arising from lateral pressure.
Lateral system (Bridge Building) , the system of horizontal braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral stiffness is secured.
lateral , noun
1.
(Football) A short pass to a receiver who is upfield from the passer, that is is behind the passer relative to the direction of the passer's goal.
2.
A part or extension of something that points sideways, as a drift in a mine that goes to the side from the main one.
Also: lateral pass
lateral , verb, transitive and intransitive
(Football) To pass the footbal to a receiver who is behind the passer; to make a lateral pass; as, the ball was lateraled to the fullback, who ran it for a touchdown.