First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1collateral
adjective col·lat·er·al \kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl\
: related but not in a direct or close way
Full 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
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Origin of COLLATERAL
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin collateralis, from Latin com- + lateralis lateral
Other Anthropology Terms
2collateral
noun
: something that you promise to give someone if you cannot pay back a loan
Full 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)
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First Known Use of COLLATERAL
1691
Other Business Terms
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