lateral

adjective more lateral · most lateral

1. Situated on one side or other of the body or of an organ, especially in the region furthest from the median plane. The medial side of the knee faces the other knee, while the outer side of the knee is lateral.

   Opposite: medial

2. Affecting the side or sides of the body, or confined to one side of the body. The “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” actor announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
3. Acting or placed at right angles to a line of motion or strain.
4. At the same level in hierarchy or rank, especially pertaining to a movement that does not involve a change in rank, status, or level. Instead of a promotion, I opted for a lateral move to a similar position in the marketing department.
5. UK Non-linear or unconventional, as in, lateral thinking; outside the box.
6. (of a consonant, especially the English clear l) Pertaining to speech sounds generated by partially blocking the egress of the airstream with the tongue, leaving space on one or both sides of the occlusion for air passage.

Opposite: longitudinal, vertical

noun laterals

1. An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.
2. A sound produced through lateral pronunciation (such as /l/ in lateral).
3. A lateral pass.
4. An employee hired for a position at the same organizational level or salary as their previous position.
5. A lateral canal, a canal built alongside an existing stream. […] Canal and laterals, section 4, and the first part of section 5; and Miller Canal and laterals.

verb laterals · lateraling · lateralling · lateraled · lateralled

1. To move (oneself or something) in a lateral direction.
2. To execute a lateral pass.