English Words Starting With L

• latent time

  nounLow / Technical
  /ˈleɪtnt taɪm/The period during which a force is applied but no observable response occurs, representing the delay between stimulus and initial reaction.
• later han

  nounA1
  /ˈleɪ.tə ðən/happening after a specific point in time
• lateral

  adjectivenounverb-intransitiveverb-transitiveC1
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl/Relating to or situated at the side of something, away from the midline.
• lateral bud

  nounC2
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl ˌbʌd/A small, undeveloped shoot located in the angle between a leaf stalk and the main plant stem, capable of developing into a new branch.
• lateral canal

  nounLow
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl kəˈnæl/An anatomical canal or duct located on the side of a structure.
• lateral fissure

  nounLow
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl ˈfɪʃ.ər/A deep groove on the outer surface of each cerebral hemisphere, separating the frontal and parietal lobes from the temporal lobe.
• lateral line

  nounC2
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl ˈlaɪn/A visible line along the side of most fishes and some amphibians, consisting of a series of sensory pores used to detect vibrations and movement in the surrounding water.
• lateral line system

  nounRare / C2
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl ˈlaɪn ˌsɪs.təm/A system of sense organs, primarily in fish and some amphibians, running along the sides of the body, used to detect movement, vibration, and pressure gradients in the surrounding water.
• lateral lisp

  nounMedium
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl ˈlɪsp/A speech disorder where 's' and 'z' sounds are produced with air escaping over the sides of the tongue, creating a wet, slushy sound.
• lateral magnification

  nounTechnical / Very Low
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl ˌmæɡ.nɪ.fɪˈkeɪ.ʃən/The ratio of the image height to the object height, perpendicular to the optical axis; also called transverse magnification.
• lateral meristem

  nounLow
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl ˈmɛr.ɪ.stem/Plant tissue consisting of undifferentiated cells capable of cell division, located along the sides of stems and roots, responsible for growth in diameter (secondary growth).
• lateral moraine

  nounLow
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl məˈreɪn/A ridge of rocky debris deposited along the sides of a glacier.
• lateral pass

  nounLow
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl ˌpɑːs/In American football and rugby, a pass thrown sideways or backwards relative to the direction of the offensive team's advance (distinguished from a forward pass). The ball does not move toward the opponent's goal line.
• lateral resistance

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl rɪˈzɪs.təns/The ability of an object or structure to withstand forces acting perpendicular to its axis; opposition to sideways or transverse movement.
• lateral system

  nounC1/C2
  /ˈlæt.ər.əl ˈsɪs.təm/A network or arrangement of components placed to the side, parallel to, or branching off from a main axis or line.
• lateral thinking

  nounC1/C2
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/An indirect, creative approach to problem-solving that uses reasoning that is not immediately obvious, often through viewing the problem from new or unexpected perspectives.
• laterality

  nounC1/C2
  /ˌlæt.ərˈæl.ə.ti/The preference for using one side of the body (especially hands, feet, eyes) over the other.
• lateralization

  nounC2
  /ˌlæt.ər.əl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/The process or state in which a function becomes primarily located in one hemisphere of the brain.
• lateran

  nounC1/C2+
  /ˈlæt.ər.ən/A proper noun referring specifically to a group of buildings and basilicas in Rome forming the historical ecclesiastical seat of the Pope and the Cathedral of the Diocese of Rome (Archbasilica of St. John Lateran).
• lateran council

  nounC2
  /ˌlæt.ər.ən ˈkaʊn.səl/Any of several ecumenical councils of the Roman Catholic Church held at the Lateran Palace in Rome.

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