LATERAL
Lat"er*al, a. Etym: [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf.
F.latéral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
2. (Anat.)
Defn: 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. Lateral cleavage (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the lateral planes. — Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.] — Lateral line (Anat.), 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 (Mech.), a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; — distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress. — Lateral strength (Mech.), 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.
LATERALITY
Lat`er*al"i*ty, n.
Defn: The state or condition of being lateral.
LATERALLY
Lat"er*al*ly, adv.
Defn: By the side; sidewise; toward, or from, the side.
LATERAN
Lat"er*an, n.