from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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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