Defn: The church and palace of St. John Lateran, the church being the cathedral church of Rome, and the highest in rank of all churches in the Catholic world.
Note: The name is said to have been derived from that of the Laterani family, who possessed a palace on or near the spot where the church now stands. In this church several ecclesiastical councils, hence called Lateran councils, have been held.
LATERED
Lat"ered, a.
Defn: Inclined to delay; dilatory. [Obs.] "When a man is too latered." Chaucer.
LATERIFOLIOUS Lat`er*i*fo"li*ous, a. Etym: [L. latus, lateris, side + folium leaf: cf. F. latérifolié.] (Bot.)
Defn: Growing from the stem by the side of a leaf; as, a laterifolious flower.
LATERITE
Lat"er*ite, n. Etym: [L. later brick, tile: cf. F. latérite.] (Geol.)
Defn: An argillaceous sandstone, of a red color, and much seamed; — found in India.
LATERITIC
Lat`er*it"ic, a.
Defn: consisting of, containing, or characterized by, laterite; as, lateritic formations.