Late

Late (lāt), a. [Compar. Later (lāt′ẽr), or latter (lăt′tẽr); superl. Latest (lāt′ĕst) or Last (lȧst).] [OE. lat slow, slack, AS. læt; 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.

2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.

3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; lately deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.

4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.

5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.

Late, adv. [AS. late. See Late, a.] 1. After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; — opposed to early.

2. Not long ago; lately.

3. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night.

Of late, in time not long past, or near the present; lately; as, the practice is of late uncommon. — Too late, after the proper or available time; when the time or opportunity is past.