/ˈlatərəl/ /ˈlatrəl/
Adjective
1. Of, at, toward, or from the side or sides. (Google Dictionary)
2. Situated on one side or other of the body or of an organ, esp. in the region furthest from the median plane. (Google Dictionary)
3. (Pathology) Affecting the side or sides of the body, or confined to one side of the body. (Google Dictionary)
4. Acting or placed at right angles to the line of motion or of strain. (Google Dictionary)
5. (of a consonant, esp. l, or its articulation) Formed by or involving partial closure of the air passage by the tongue, which is so placed as to allow the breath to flow on one or both sides of the point of contact. (Google Dictionary)
6. (Anatomy) Pertaining to the left or right of the body; further from the midline. (Google Dictionary)
Noun, pl. laterals
1. A side part of something, esp. a shoot or branch growing out from the side of a stem. (Google Dictionary)
2. A lateral consonant. (Google Dictionary)
3. A pass thrown either sideways or backward from the position of the passer. (Google Dictionary)
Word origin: From Middle French latéral and directly from Latin lateralis “belonging to the side,” from latus (genitive lateris) “side”