Main Entry: ¹late

Pronunciation: \ˈlāt\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): lat·er; lat·est

Etymology: Middle English, late, slow, from Old English læt; akin to Old High German laz slow, Old English lǣtan to let

Date: before 12th century

1 a (1) : coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time <a late spring> (2) : of, relating to, or imposed because of tardiness b : of or relating to an advanced stage in point of time or development <the late Middle Ages>; especially : far advanced toward the close of the day or night <late hours>
2 a : living comparatively recently : now deceased —used of persons <the late John Doe> and often with reference to a specific relationship or status <his late wife> b : being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now <the late belligerents> c : made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time especially as the most recent of a succession <our late quarrel>

synonyms see dead

— late·ness noun