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bilateral

 - 6 dictionary results

bi⋅lat⋅er⋅al

  [bahy-lat-er-uhl]
Use bilateral in a Sentence
–adjective
1. pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like: a bilateral agreement; bilateral sponsorship.
2. located on opposite sides of an axis; two-sided, esp. when of equal size, value, etc.
3. Biology. pertaining to the right and left sides of a structure, plane, etc.
4. Chiefly Law. (of a contract) binding the parties to reciprocal obligations.
5. through both parents equally: bilateral affiliation. Compare unilateral (def. 7).
–noun
6. Informal. a bilateral agreement, esp. regarding international trade.
Origin:
1765–75; bi- 1 + lateral

Related forms:
bi⋅lat⋅er⋅al⋅ism, bi⋅lat⋅er⋅al⋅ness, noun
bi⋅lat⋅er⋅al⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To bilateral
bi·lat·er·al   (bī-lāt'ər-əl)   
adj.  

  1. Having or formed of two sides; two-sided.

  2. Affecting or undertaken by two sides equally; binding on both parties: a bilateral agreement; bilateral negotiations.

  3. Relating to the right and left sides of the body or of a body structure.

  4. Having or marked by bilateral symmetry.

bi·lat'er·al·ism n., bi·lat'er·al·ly adv., bi·lat'er·al·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

bilateral 
1775, from bi- + lateral (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: bi·lat·er·al
Pronunciation: "bI-'la-t&-r&l
Function: adjective
: affecting, obligating, or shared by both parties bilateral agreement> —bi·lat·er·al·ly /-r&-lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: bi·lat·er·al
Pronunciation: (')bI-'lat-&-r&l, -'la-tr&l
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, oraffecting the right and left sides of the body or the right and left members of paired organs <bilateral nephrectomy> <bilateral tumors of the adrenal glands>
2 : having bilateral symmetry —bi·lat·er·al·ism /-"iz-&m/ noun —bi·lat·er·al·i·ty /(')bI-"lat-&-'ral-&t-E, -"la-'tral-/ noun plural -ties
—bi·lat·er·al·ly /(')bI-'lat-&-r&-lE, -'la-tr&-lE/ adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

bilateral bi·lat·er·al (bī-lāt'ər-əl)
adj.

  1. Having or formed of two sides; two-sided.

  2. Having or marked by bilateral symmetry.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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