collateral
Translation
security, guarantee, secondary
Examples
He used his house as collateral for the loan.
He used his house as collateral for the loan.
We must avoid any collateral damage.
We must avoid any collateral damage.
Grammar Patterns
collateral ((for sth.)) security for sth. He used his house as collateral for the loan.
collateral ((damage/benefit)) secondary damage/benefit. We must avoid any collateral damage.
Similar Words
Synonyms: security, guarantee, pledge; secondary, subordinate
Etymology
From Latin `col-` ('together') + `lateralis` ('of the side'). It literally means 'side by side'.
Memory Tips
Think of it as something that stands 'laterally' or 'on the side' to support a main promise (the loan).