Colateral

Colateral, often misspelled as "collateral", is an adjective that describes something that exists as a side effect or consequence of a primary action or event. The term frequently implies that the side effect is unintended or unplanned. While not inherently negative, the term is often used when the side effect is undesirable. It can be used in various contexts, including discussions about military actions, business decisions, and medical treatments.

In a medical context, a collateral effect might be an unintended side effect of a drug. In a business context, a collateral effect could be the unintended consequence of a new marketing campaign. In military contexts, the term "collateral damage" is frequently used to describe unintended harm to civilians or civilian property during a military operation.

The term "collateral" derives from the word "collateral," which describes something pledged as security for repayment of a loan. While the adjective form does not directly involve pledging assets, the connection lies in the idea of something ancillary or supplementary to a primary objective or arrangement. The adjective "collateral" emphasizes the secondary or incidental nature of the described effect or consequence.