LATERALITY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does laterality mean? 

• LATERALITY (noun)
  The noun LATERALITY has 3 senses:

1. localization of function on either the right or left sides of the brain

2. the property of using one hand more than the other

3. superior development of one side of the body

  Familiarity information: LATERALITY used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LATERALITY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Localization of function on either the right or left sides of the brain

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

lateralisation; laterality; lateralization

Hypernyms ("laterality" is a kind of...):

localisation; localisation of function; localisation principle; localization; localization of function; localization principle ((physiology) the principle that specific functions have relatively circumscribed locations in some particular part or organ of the body)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The property of using one hand more than the other

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

handedness; laterality

Hypernyms ("laterality" is a kind of...):

asymmetry; dissymmetry; imbalance ((mathematics) a lack of symmetry)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "laterality"):

ambidexterity; ambidextrousness (the property of being equally skillful with each hand)

left-handedness; sinistrality (preference for using the left hand)

dextrality; right-handedness (preference for using the right hand)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Superior development of one side of the body

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

dominance; laterality

Hypernyms ("laterality" is a kind of...):

bodily property (an attribute of the body)

 Context examples 

Laterality does not affect the N classification.

(Kidney Cancer Pathologic Regional Lymph Nodes TNM Finding v6, NCI Thesaurus)

Laterality of (possibly paired) body part contained in an image.

(Image Laterality, NCI Thesaurus/DICOM)

An indication of the laterality of a body part.

(Image Laterality, NCI Thesaurus)