Bilateral
/ˌbaɪˈlætərəl/noun
Involving two sides, parties, or directions.
Did you know?Its Latin ancestor lateralis comes from latus, meaning “side,” the same root behind words like “collateral” and “latitude,” where ancient language mapped space as if the world had measurable sides.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stḗh₂-
“to stand; the source of the “side/position” idea in later Latin forms”
Latin
Latin
bi- + lateralis
“two + of the side; having two sides”
Late Latin
Latin
bilateralis
“having two sides”
17th Century
English
bilateral
“pertaining to two sides or two parties”
Modern English
English
bilateral
“involving or affecting two sides, especially two nations or groups”