lateral Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a pass to a receiver upfield from the passer
    lateral pass.
  2. adjective satellite situated at or extending to the side
    sidelong.
    • the lateral branches of a tree
    • shot out sidelong boughs"- Tennyson
  3. adjective satellite lying away from the median and sagittal plane of a body
    • lateral lemniscus

WordNet

Lat"er*al adjective
Etymology
L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf. F.latéral.
Definitions
  1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
  2. (Anat.) 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.

Webster 1913