Late

LATE, adjective [This word is from the root of let, the sense of which is to draw out, extend or prolong, hence to be slow or late See [[Let]]. This adjective has regular terminations of the comparative and superlative degrees, later, latest, but it has also latter, and latest is often contracted into last.]

1. Coming after the usual time; slow; tardy; long delayed; as a late spring; a late summer. The crops or harvest will be late

2. Far advanced towards the end or close; as a late hour of the day. He began at a late period of his life.

3. Last, or recently in any place, office or character; as the late ministry; the late administration.

4. Existing not long ago, but now decayed or departed; as the late bishop of London.

5. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as the late rains. We have received late intelligence.

LATE, adverb

1. After the usual time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late

2. After the proper or usual season. This year the fruits ripen late

3. Not long ago; lately.

And round them throng with leaps and bounds the late imprison'd young.

4. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie a-bed late; to sit up late at night.

Of late lately, in time not long past, or near the present. The practice is of late uncommon.

Too late after the proper time; not in due time. We arrived too late to see the procession.