Etymology Recorded since c.1378, from Old French, from Medieval Latin collaterālis, from Latin col- (“together with”) (a form of con-) + the stem of latus (“side”). By surface analysis, col- + lateral.
Her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are torn and Vonn has a lateral fracture of the tibial plateau, the upper end of the tibia or shin bone.2013 February 6, Jen Christiensen, “Vonn’s injury ‘career-delayer,’ not ‘career ender’”, in CNN:
2
Corresponding; accompanying, concomitant.
Yet the attempt may give / Collateral interest to this homely tale.1814, William Wordsworth, The Excursion:
3
Being aside from the main subject, target, or goal.
collateral damage
Although not a direct cause, the border skirmish was certainly a collateral incitement for the war.
1 more example
That he [Atterbury] was altogether in the wrong on the main question, and on all the collateral questions springing out of it, […] is true.1878, Thomas Babington Macaulay, “Francis Atterbury”, in Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition:
4
Of an indirect ancestral relationship, as opposed to lineal descendency.
a collateral descendant
Uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces are collateral relatives.
1 more example
The pure blood all descends from five collateral lines called Al-Khamsah (the Cinque).1885, Richard Francis Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, volume 5:
5
Business, Finance Relating to a collateral in the sense of an obligation or security.
6
Business, Finance Expensive to the extent of being paid through a loan.
7
Coming or directed along the side.
collateral pressure
collateral lightc. 1604–1605 (date written), William Shakespeare, “All’s Well, that Ends Well”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
8
Acting in an indirect way.
If by direct or by collateral hand They find us touched, we will our kingdom give […] To you in satisfaction.c. 1603–1606, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene v]:
9
Biology, Natural sciencesOf a vascular bundle Having the phloem and xylem adjacent.
Etymology Recorded since c.1378, from Old French, from Medieval Latin collaterālis, from Latin col- (“together with”) (a form of con-) + the stem of latus (“side”). By surface analysis, col- + lateral.
Business, Finance A security or guarantee (usually an asset) pledged for the repayment of a loan if one cannot procure enough funds to repay.
"The decline in the quality of eligible collateral is a grave problem. The ECB is now buying corporate bonds that are close to junk, and the haircuts can barely deal with a one-notch credit downgrade. The reputational risk of such actions by a central bank would have been unthinkable in the past."2016, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, “Euro 'house of cards' to collapse, warns ECB prophet”, in The Telegraph:
In colonial times, when land was not worth much and banks didn’t exist, most lending was based on human property. In the early 1700s, slaves were the dominant collateral in South Carolina.2019 August 14, Matthew Desmond, “In order to understand the brutality of American capitalism, you have to start on the plantation”, in New York Times: