- Last
- Late Late (l[=a]t), a. [Compar. {Later} (l[=a]t"[~e]r), or
{latter} (l[a^]t"t[~e]r); superl. {Latest} (l[=a]t"[e^]st) or
{Last} (l[.a]st).] [OE. lat slow, slack, AS. l[ae]t; akin to
OS. lat, D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel.
latr, Sw. lat, Dan. lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See
{Let} to permit, and cf. {Alas}, {Lassitude}.]
1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or
proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a
late spring.
[1913 Webster]
2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life. [1913 Webster]
3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; recently deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration. [1913 Webster]
4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence. [1913 Webster]
5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.
