collateral

¹col·lat·er·al

adjective \kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl\

Definition of COLLATERAL

1

a : accompanying as secondary or subordinate : concomitant <digress into collateral matters>

b : indirect

c : serving to support or reinforce : ancillary

2

: belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent — compare lineal 3a

3

: parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significance <collateral states like Athens and Sparta>

4

a : of, relating to, or being collateral used as security (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract)

b : secured by collateral

— col·lat·er·al·i·ty \-ˌla-tə-ˈra-lə-tē\ noun

— col·lat·er·al·ly \-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-lē\ adverb

Examples of COLLATERAL

1. the collateral effects of the government's policies

Origin of COLLATERAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin collateralis, from Latin com- + lateralis lateral

First Known Use: 14th century

Other Anthropology Terms

ectomorph, ethnography, prehistory, yurt

²collateral

noun

Definition of COLLATERAL

1

: a collateral relative

2

: property (as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender

3

: a branch of a bodily part (as a vein)

First Known Use of COLLATERAL

1691

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite