lateral Definition

lateral
adj

1. At, from or relating to a side or the side of something.

Example: lateral fins

noun

1. Something, eg a branch, shoot, side road, tributary, etc, that forks off from the main part.
2. phonetics.
A consonant, eg any of the various l sounds of English, that is articulated by making a partial closure between the tongue and the gums at the side of the mouth, creating just enough of a gap to allow the air stream to pass through.

Derivative: laterally
adverb

Etymology: 17c: from Latin latus, lateris side.