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lateral

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

Lateral means side to side. In science, lateral motion is movement from side to side. Lateral motion is important in many different types of movement, such as swimming, running, and flying.

How can the word be used?

The tree has several lateral branches.

lateral

Different forms of the word

Adjective: Lateral is an adjective that describes something that is situated or moving side by side or at right angles to the main axis. For example, a lateral line is a line of sensory organs on the sides of a fish's body.

Noun: Lateral is also used as a noun to refer to a side branch or extension. For example, a lateral bud is a bud that grows on the side of a stem.

Verb: To lateral is to move or pass to the side. For example, a football player may lateral the ball to a teammate.

Etymology

The word "lateral" comes from the Latin word "laterālis", which means "belonging to the side". It was first used in English in the 14th century.

The Latin word "laterālis" is made up of two parts:

"latera", which means "side".

"-alis", which is a suffix that means "pertaining to".

Question

What does lateral mean?