Side (?), n. [AS. sde; akin to D. zijde, G. seite, OHG. sta, Icel.
s&?;a, Dan. side, Sw. sida; cf. AS. sd large, spacious, Icel. s&?;r
long, hanging.] 1. The margin, edge, verge, or border of a surface;
especially (when the thing spoken of is somewhat oblong in shape), one
of the longer edges as distinguished from the shorter edges, called
ends; a bounding line of a geometrical figure; as, the side of a field,
of a square or triangle, of a river, of a road, etc.
3. Any outer portion of a thing considered apart from, and yet in
relation to, the rest; as, the upper side of a sphere; also, any part
or position viewed as opposite to or contrasted with another; as, this
or that side.
Looking round on every side beheld A pathless desert.
Milton.
4. (a) One of the halves of the body, of an animals or man, on either
side of the mesial plane; or that which pertains to such a half; as, a
side of beef; a side of sole leather. (b) The right or left part of the
wall or trunk of the body; as, a pain in the side.
One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side.
John xix. 34.
5. A slope or declivity, as of a hill, considered as opposed to another
slope over the ridge.
Along the side of yon small hill.
Milton.
6. The position of a person or party regarded as opposed to another
person or party, whether as a rival or a foe; a body of advocates or
partisans; a party; hence, the interest or cause which one maintains
against another; a doctrine or view opposed to another.
God on our side, doubt not of victory.
Shak.
We have not always been of the . . . same side in politics.
Landor.
Sets the passions on the side of truth.
Pope.
7. A line of descent traced through one parent as distinguished from
that traced through another.
To sit upon thy father David's throne, By mother's side thy father.
Milton.
8. Fig.: Aspect or part regarded as contrasted with some other; as, the
bright side of poverty.
By the side of, close at hand; near to. -- Exterior side. (Fort.) See
Exterior, and Illust. of Ravelin. -- Interior side (Fort.), the line
drawn from the center of one bastion to that of the next, or the line
curtain produced to the two oblique radii in front. H. L. Scott. --
Side by side, close together and abreast; in company or along with. --
To choose sides, to select those who shall compete, as in a game, on
either side. -- To take sides, to attach one's self to, or give
assistance to, one of two opposing sides or parties.
Side (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a side, or the sides; being on the
side, or toward the side; lateral.
One mighty squadron with a side wind sped.
Dryden.
2. Hence, indirect; oblique; collateral; incidental; as, a side issue;
a side view or remark.
The law hath no side respect to their persons.
Hooker.