The quality or state of being collateral; the existence of security or backup materials that support or parallel something.
From 'collateral' (Latin 'collateralis', from 'con-' (together) + 'lateralis' (of the side), literally meaning 'side by side') + '-ity' (abstract noun suffix). The meaning evolved in medieval law to describe property pledged as security.
The word 'collateral' literally means 'alongside' from Latin—when you pledge collateral for a loan, you're putting something 'alongside' your promise, and if you fail, the bank takes the side-pledge; it's a metaphor about honesty reflected in language.
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