Collateral \Col*lat"er*al\, a. [LL. collateralis; col- +
lateralis lateral. See Lateral.]
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) 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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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