'Lateral line' definitions:

Definition of 'lateral line'

noun

Sense organs of fish and amphibians; believed to detect pressure changes in the water [syn: lateral line, lateral line organ]

From: GCIDE

Lateral \Lat"er*al\, a. [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf. F. lat['e]ral.]
1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree. [1913 Webster]
2. (Anat.) Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; -- opposed to mesial. [1913 Webster]
3. Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing. [1913 Webster]
Lateral cleavage (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the lateral planes.
Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.]
Lateral line (Anat.), in fishes, a line of sensory organs along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct line of color.
Lateral pressure or stress (Mech.), a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; -- distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress.
Lateral strength (Mech.), strength which resists a tendency to fracture arising from lateral pressure.
Lateral system (Bridge Building), the system of horizontal braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral stiffness is secured. [1913 Webster] lateral