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).
Phrases and idioms:
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?).
Derivatives:
lateness n.
Etymology: OE l{aelig}t (adj.), late (adv.) f. Gmc