Late \Late\ (l[=a]t), a. [Compar. Later (l[=a]t"[~e]r), or
   latter (l[a^]t"t[~e]r); superl. Latest (l[=a]t"[e^]st) or
   Last (l[.a]st).] [OE. lat slow, slack, AS. l[ae]t; akin to
   OS. lat, D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel.
   latr, Sw. lat, Dan. lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See
   Let to permit, and cf. Alas, Lassitude.]
   1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or
      proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a
      late spring.
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   2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of
      the day; a late period of life.
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   3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not
      now; recently deceased, departed, or gone out of office;
      as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.
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   4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the
      late rains; we have received late intelligence.
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   5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night;
      as, late revels; a late watcher.
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	Latter \Lat"ter\, a. [OE. later, l[ae]tter, compar. of lat late.
   See Late, and cf. Later.]
   1. Later; more recent; coming or happening after something
      else; -- opposed to former; as, the former and latter
      rain.
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   2. Of two things, the one mentioned second.
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            The difference between reason and revelation, and in
            what sense the latter is superior.    --I. Watts.
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   3. Recent; modern.
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            Hath not navigation discovered in these latter ages,
            whole nations at the bay of Soldania? --Locke.
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   4. Last; latest; final. [R.] "My latter gasp." --Shak.
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   Latter harvest, the last part of the harvest.

   Latter spring, the last part of the spring of the year.
      --Shak.
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