Collateral

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kəˈlætəɹəl/

Origin

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").

Full definition of collateral

Adjective

1. parallel, along the same vein, side by side.
2. Corresponding; accompanying, concomitant.
• WordsworthYet the attempt may give
  Collateral interest to this homely tale.
3. Being aside from the main subject; tangential, subordinate, ancillary.Although not a direct cause, the border skirmish was certainly a collateral incitement for the war.
• MacaulayThat he Atterbury was altogether in the wrong on the main question, and on all the collateral questions springing out of it, ... is true.
4. (family) of an indirect ancestral relationship, as opposed to lineal descendency.''Uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces are collateral relatives.
• 1885, Richard Francis Burton, The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night, volume 5,The pure blood all descends from five collateral lines called Al-Khamsah (the Cinque).
5. relating to a collateral in the sense of an obligation or security
6. expensive to the extent of being paid through a loan
7. Coming or directed along the side.collateral pressure
• Shakespearecollateral light
8. Acting in an indirect way.
• ShakespeareIf by direct or by collateral hand
  They find us touched, we will our kingdom give ...
  To you in satisfaction.

Derived terms

• collaterality
• collaterally
• collateral damage
• collateral form
• collateral security

Related terms

• lateral

Noun

1. A security or guarantee (usually an asset) pledged for the repayment of a loan if one cannot procure enough funds to repay. (Originally supplied as "accompanying" security.)
2. (now rare) A collateral (not linear) family member.
3. A branch of a bodily part or system of organs''Besides the arteries blood streams through numerous veins we call collaterals

Derived terms

• marketing collateral

Related terms

• lateral