collateral security

Collateral \Col*lat"er*al\ (k[o^]l*l[a^]t"[~e]r*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.
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   2. Acting in an indirect way.
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            If by direct or by collateral hand
            They find us touched, we will our kingdom give . . .
            To you in satisfaction.               --Shak.
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   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.
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            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.
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   4. Tending toward the same conclusion or result as something
      else; additional; as, collateral evidence.
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            Yet the attempt may give
            Collateral interest to this homely tale.
                                                  --Wordsworth.
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   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}.
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   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.
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   {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.

   {collateral damage}, (Mil.) damage caused by a military
      operation, such as a bombing, to objects or persons not
      themselves the intended target of the attack.
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COLLATERAL SECURITY, contracts. A separate obligation attached to another 
contract, to guaranty its performance. By this term is also meant the 
transfer of property or of other contracts to insure the performance of a 
principal engagement. The property or securities thus conveyed are also 
called collateral securities. 1 Pow. Mortg. 393; 2 Id. 666, n. 871; 3 Id. 
944, 1001.