adj. & adv.
adj. 1 after the due or usual time; occurring or done after the proper time (late for dinner; a late milk delivery). 2 a far on in the day or night or in a specified time or period. b far on in development. 3 flowering or ripening towards the end of the season (late strawberries). 4 (prec. by the or my, his, etc.) no longer alive or having the specified status (my late husband; the late president). 5 of recent date (the late storms).
adv. 1 after the due or usual time (arrived late). 2 far on in time (this happened later on). 3 at or till a late hour. 4 at a late stage of development. 5 formerly but not now (late of the Scillies). at the latest as the latest time envisaged (will have done it by six at the latest). late in the day colloq. at a late stage in the proceedings, esp. too late to be useful. late Latin Latin of about AD 200-600. the latest the most recent news, fashion, etc. (have you heard the latest?). lateness n.
[ OE lt (adj.), late (adv.) f. Gmc ]