bilateral

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   involving, affecting, or agreed by two parties, especially two countries

   The neighboring states signed a bilateral trade agreement.

2. 2
   adj

   having or relating to two sides

   The patient experienced bilateral pain in both knees.

3. 3
   adj

   biology: having corresponding right and left sides arranged around a central axis

   A fish has bilateral symmetry because its left and right sides largely correspond.

Formed from bi- ("two") + lateral, from Latin latus, lateris ("side"). The political sense concerns two parties; anatomical and zoological senses concern two corresponding sides.

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