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Today it means

lateral

relating to the side

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Where does the word "lateral" come from? It comes from Latin lateralis, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

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Where does the word "lateral" come from? It comes from Latin lateralis, and was adopted directly into English (1600s).

Lateral’s story begins in Latin: lateralis meant “of the side.” From 'latus', side. It reached English by 1600s as lateral. 'lateral thinking' was coined by Edward de Bono in 1967. Today, lateral means relating to the side.

  1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient lateralis "of the side", from 'latus', side.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1600s lateral "of the side", 'lateral thinking' was coined by Edward de Bono in 1967.

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