LAT'ERAL, adjective [Latin lateralis, from latus, a side, and broad, Gr., Eng. flat. The primary sense of these words is to extend, as in late, let.] 1. Pertaining to the side; as the lateral view of an object. 2. Proceeding from the side; as the lateral branches of a tree; lateral shoots.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI