‖n.;
a. Compar. of Late, a. & adv. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. [ L. latus, lateris, side + ad to. ] (Anat.) Toward the side; away from the mesial plane; -- opposed to
a. [ L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf. F. latéral. ]
Lateral cleavage (Crystallog.),
Lateral equation (Math.),
Lateral line (Anat.),
Lateral pressure or
stress
Lateral strength (Mech.),
Lateral system (Bridge Building),
v. t. & i. (Football) To pass the footbal to a receiver who is behind the passer; to make a lateral pass;
n. The state or condition of being lateral. [ 1913 Webster ]
adv. By the side; sidewise; toward, or from, the side. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]
☞ The name is said to have been derived from that of the
a. Inclined to delay; dilatory. [ Obs. ] “When a man is too latered.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]