n. & v.
n. 1 a each of the more or less flat surfaces bounding an object (a cube has six sides; this side up). b a more or less vertical inner or outer plane or surface (the side of a house; a mountainside). c such a vertical lateral surface or plane as distinct from the top or bottom, front or back, or ends (at the side of the house). 2 a the half of a person or animal that is on the right or the left, esp. of the torso (has a pain in his right side). b the left or right half or a specified part of a thing, area, building, etc. (put the box on that side). c (often in comb.) a position next to a person or thing (grave-side; seaside; stood at my side). d a specified direction relating to a person or thing (on the north side of; came from all sides). e half of a butchered carcass (a side of bacon). 3 a either surface of a thing regarded as having two surfaces. b the amount of writing needed to fill one side of a sheet of paper (write three sides). 4 any of several aspects of a question, character, etc. (many sides to his character; look on the bright side). 5 a each of two sets of opponents in war, politics, games, etc. (the side that bats first; much to be said on both sides). b a cause or philosophical position etc. regarded as being in conflict with another (on the side of right). 6 a a part or region near the edge and remote from the centre (at the side of the room). b (attrib.) a subordinate, peripheral, or detached part (a side-road; a side-table). 7 a each of the bounding lines of a plane rectilinear figure (a hexagon has six sides). b each of two quantities stated to be equal in an equation. 8 a position nearer or farther than, or right or left of, a dividing line (on this side of the Alps; on the other side of the road). 9 a line of hereditary descent through the father or the mother. 10 (in full side spin) Brit. a spinning motion given to a billiard-ball etc. by hitting it on one side, not centrally. 11 Brit. sl. boastfulness; swagger (has no side about him). 12 Brit. colloq. a television channel (shall we try another side?).
v.intr. (usu. foll. by with) take part or be on the same side as a disputant etc. (sided with his father). by the side of 1 close to. 2 compared with. from side to side 1 right across. 2 alternately each way from a central line. let the side down fail one's colleagues, esp. by frustrating their efforts or embarrassing them. on one side 1 not in the main or central position. 2 aside (took him on one side to explain). on the ... side fairly, somewhat (qualifying an adjective: on the high side). on the side 1 as a sideline; in addition to one's regular work etc. 2 secretly or illicitly. 3 US as a side dish. on this side of the grave in life. side-arms swords, bayonets, or pistols. side-band a range of frequencies near the carrier frequency of a radio wave, concerned in modulation. side-bet a bet between opponents, esp. in card-games, over and above the ordinary stakes. side-bone either of the small forked bones under the wings of poultry. side by side standing close together, esp. for mutual support. side-car 1 a small car for a passenger or passengers attached to the side of a motor cycle. 2 a cocktail of orange liqueur, lemon juice, and brandy. 3 a jaunting car. side-chapel a chapel in the aisle or at the side of a church. side dish an extra dish subsidiary to the main course. side-door 1 a door in or at the side of a building. 2 an indirect means of access. side-drum a small double-headed drum in a jazz or military band or in an orchestra (orig. hung at the drummer's side). side-effect a secondary, usu. undesirable, effect. side-glance a sideways or brief glance. side-issue a point that distracts attention from what is important. side-note a marginal note. side-on adv. from the side.
adj. 1 from or towards one side. 2 (of a collision) involving the side of a vehicle. side-road a minor or subsidiary road, esp. joining or diverging from a main road. side-saddle n. a saddle for a woman rider with both feet on the same side of the horse.
adv. sitting in this position on a horse. side salad a salad served as a side dish. side-seat a seat in a vehicle etc. in which the occupant has his back to the side of the vehicle. side-slip n. 1 a skid. 2 Aeron. a sideways movement instead of forward.
v.intr. 1 skid. 2 Aeron. move sideways instead of forward. side-splitting causing violent laughter. side-street a minor or subsidiary street. side-stroke 1 a stroke towards or from a side. 2 an incidental action. 3 a swimming stroke in which the swimmer lies on his or her side. side-swipe n. 1 a glancing blow along the side. 2 incidental criticism etc.
v.tr. hit with or as if with a side-swipe. side-table a table placed at the side of a room or apart from the main table. side-trip a minor excursion during a voyage or trip; a detour. side valve a valve in a vehicle engine, operated from the side of the cylinder. side-view 1 a view obtained sideways. 2 a profile. side-wheeler US a steamer with paddle-wheels. side-whiskers whiskers growing on the cheeks. side wind 1 wind from the side. 2 an indirect agency or influence. take sides support one or other cause etc. sideless adj.
[ OE side f. Gmc ]