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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Lateral \Lat"er*al\, a. [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side:
cf. F. lat['e]ral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a
house; the lateral branches of a tree.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Anat.) Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from
the mesial plane; external; -- opposed to {mesial}.
[1913 Webster]

3. Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing.
[1913 Webster]

{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.
[1913 Webster] lateral


lateral \lat"er*al\, lateral pass \lat"er*al pass`\, n.
(Football)
1. A short pass to a receiver who is upfield from the passer,
i.e. is behind the passer relative to the direction of the
passer's goal.
[PJC]

2. A part or extension of something that points sideways, as
a drift in a mine that goes to the side from the main one.
[PJC]


lateral \lat"er*al\, v. t. & i. (Football)
To pass the footbal to a receiver who is behind the passer;
to make a lateral pass; as, the ball was lateraled to the
fullback, who ran it for a touchdown.
[PJC]