I. ˈla-tə-rəl also ˈla-trəl adjective
Etymology: Middle English laterale, from Latin lateralis, from later-, latus side
Date: 15th century
1. : of or relating to the side
2. : situated on, directed toward, or coming from the side
3. : extending from side to side
the lateral axis of an airplane
4. : produced with passage of breath around the side of a constriction formed with the tongue
l is lateral
• lat·er·al·ly adverb
II. noun
Date: 1851
1. : a branch from the main part (as in an irrigation or electrical system)
2. : a pass in football thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage or in a direction away from the opponent's goal
3. : a lateral speech sound
III. intransitive verb
Date: 1944
: to throw a lateral