lateral

Noun · Adjective

Synonyms: lateral pass sidelong

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

a pass to a receiver upfield from the passerSynonyms: lateral pass

Adjective (2)

situated at or extending to the side“the lateral branches of a tree”“shot out sidelong boughs — Tennyson”Synonyms: sidelong
lying away from the median and sagittal plane of a body“lateral lemniscus”

Webster's Dictionary (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]