n.
Pronunciation: k ə - ' la-t( ə -)r ə l
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin collateralis, from Latin com- + lateralis lateral
Date: 14th century
1 a : accompanying as secondary or subordinate : CONCOMITANT <digress into collateral matters> b : INDIRECT c : serving to support or reinforce : ANCILLARY
2 : belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent ― compare LINEAL 3a
3 : parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significance < collateral states like Athens and Sparta>
4 a : of, relating to, or being collateral used as security (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract) b : secured by collateral
– col · lat · er · al · i · ty \ - ˌ la-t ə - ' ra-l ə -t ē \ noun
– col · lat · er · al · ly \ - ' la-t( ə -)r ə -l ē \ adverb