WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Col*lat"er*al
Part of Speech : a.
Etymology : [LL. collateralis; col- + lateralis lateral. See Lateral.]
Definition : 1. Coming from, being on, or directed toward, the side; as, collateral pressure. "Collateral light." Shak.

2. 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. Shak.

3. Related to, but not strictly a part of, the main thing or matter under consideration; hence, subordinate; not chief or principal; as, collateral interest; collateral issues. That he [Attebury] was altogether in the wrong on the main question, and on all the collateral questions springing out of it, . . . is true. Macaulay.

4. Tending toward the same conclusion or result as something else; additional; as, collateral evidence. Yet the attempt may give Collateral interest to this homely tale. Wordsworth.

5. (Genealogy)

Defn: Descending from the same stock or ancestor, but not in the same line or branch or one from the other; -- opposed to lineal.

Note: Lineal descendants proceed one from another in a direct line; collateral relations spring from a common ancestor, but from different branches of that common stirps or stock. Thus the children of brothers are collateral relations, having different fathers, but a common grandfather. Blackstone.

Collateral assurance, that which is made, over and above the deed itself. -- Collateral circulation (Med. & Physiol.), circulation established through indirect or subordinate branches when the supply through the main vessel is obstructed. -- Collateral issue. (Law) (a) An issue taken upon a matter aside from the merits of the case. (b) An issue raised by a criminal convict who pleads any matter allowed by law in bar of execution, as pardon, diversity of person, etc. (c) A point raised, on cross- examination, aside from the issue fixed by the pleadings, as to which the answer of the witness, when given, cannot subsequently be contradicted by the party asking the question. -- Collateral security, security for the performance of covenants, or the payment of money, besides the principal security,
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Col*lat"er*al
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 1. A collateral relative. Ayliffe.

2. Collateral security; that which is pledged or deposited as collateral security.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913