Legal Definitions - laterare

Laterare is a historical legal term, derived from Latin, that was formerly used in land descriptions to specify the orientation of a parcel of land.

It means that a piece of property "lies sideways," indicating that its longest dimension runs parallel to a particular boundary, feature, or adjacent property, rather than having its shorter dimension aligned in that way ("endways"). This distinction was crucial in older deeds and surveys for clearly defining the shape and alignment of land parcels.

• Example 1: Road Frontage

  Imagine an old land grant from the 1700s describing a plot as "a parcel of land laterare to the Great Post Road." This description clarifies that the property's longest side ran parallel to the main road, providing extensive frontage and easy access. If the description had implied an "endways" orientation, the property would have had a much narrower frontage along the road, with its longer dimension extending away from it.

• Example 2: River Boundary

  A historical deed for a farm might specify "a tract of land laterare to the Blackwood River for a distance of 800 feet." This means that the farm's boundary along the river stretched for 800 feet, maximizing its access to water for irrigation or transportation. The "laterare" orientation ensures that the property's longest edge is aligned with the river, rather than having only a short section of the property touching the river while its main length extends inland.

• Example 3: Adjacency to Another Property

  In a colonial settlement, a new property might be surveyed and described as "laterare to the established Miller Estate." This indicates that the new property's longest shared boundary runs alongside the Miller Estate. This orientation would be significant for understanding shared fences, easements, or the overall layout of adjacent properties within a developing community, ensuring a substantial common border rather than just a narrow point of contact.