Lāt'er-al, a.
a. [Fr. latéral, Pr., Sp., & Pg. lateral, It. laterale, Lat. lateralis, from latus, lateris, side.]
Sense 1. Proceeding from, or attached to, the side; as, the lateral branches of a tree; lateral shoots.
Sense 2. Directed to the side; as, the lateral view of an object.
Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.] Math. Dict. — 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.