[late] adj lat.er ; lat.est [ME, late, slow, fr. OE laet; akin to OHG laz slow, OE laetan to let] (bef. 12c) 1 a (1): coming or remaining after the due, usual, or proper time "a ~ 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 ~ Middle Ages"; esp: far advanced toward the close of the day or night "~ hours"
2. a: living comparatively recently--used of persons "the ~ John Doe" and often with reference to a specific relationship or status "his ~ wife" b: being something or holding some position or relationship recently but not now "the ~ belligerents" c: made, appearing, or happening just previous to the present time esp. as the most recent of a succession "our ~ quarrel" syn see dead -- late.ness n
[2]late adv lat.er ; lat.est (bef. 12c) 1 a: after the usual or proper time "got to work ~" b: at or to an advanced point of time
2: not long ago: recently "a man ~ of Chicago" -- of late : in the period shortly or immediately preceding: recently "has been sick of late"