ilateral

Bilateral refers to something that involves or affects two sides. In many contexts, it indicates a reciprocal or mutual relationship between two parties or entities. For example, a bilateral agreement is a treaty or contract made between two countries or organizations. In biology, bilateral symmetry describes an organism that can be divided into two mirror-image halves along a single plane. This is a common body plan found in many animals, including humans, insects, and fish.

The concept of bilateral extends to various fields. In economics, bilateral trade refers to commerce between two nations. In law, a bilateral contract requires a promise from each party in exchange for a promise from the other. In medicine, bilateral conditions affect both sides of the body, such as bilateral hearing loss. The understanding of "bilateral" is often dependent on the specific domain in which it is used, but the core meaning of "two-sided" or "mutual" remains consistent.