latter
//ˈlæt.ə(ɹ)//
Definitions
1.Relating to or being the second of two items.
- The archaic past participle shapen is only used in misshapen, ill-shapen, and well-shapen (the latter two are much less common, though).
- On sale next to dried fish and chicken feet were rats and bats (the latter's wings in a pile like leather scraps, also for sale), plus cut-up pigs and monkeys, their faces intact.
2.Near (or nearer) to the end.
3.In the past, but close (or closer) to the present time.
- In his latter years my dad became very absent-minded.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2759
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Etymology
From Middle English latter, lattere, lattre, from Old English lætra, comparative form of læt (“late”).
Equivalent to late + -er, thus a doublet of later; also, related to last, whose doublet is latest.