Lat"er*al (?), a. [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf. F. latéral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as,
the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
2. (Anat.)
Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the
mesial plane; external; -- opposed to mesial.
3.
Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing.
Lateral
cleavage (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the lateral planes. -- Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.] -- Lateral line
(Anat.), in fishes, a line of sensory organs along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct
line of color. -- Lateral pressure or stress (Mech.), a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of
a beam or bridge; -- distinguished from longitudinal pressure
or stress. -- Lateral strength
(Mech.), strength which resists a tendency to fracture arising from lateral pressure. --
Lateral system
(Bridge Building),
the system of horizontal braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral stiffness is secured.
Hear it pronounced