a. and adv. Also 6 Sc. laitter. [f. LATE a.1 + -ER3. (The OE. comparative lator is represented by LATTER a.; the modern word is a new formation.)]
A. adj. More late; coming at a longer interval after the usual or proper time; further advanced in a period; more recent.
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 119. I have folowed Ptolomæus in certaine pointes … In th’ other, I have used later writers travelles.
1596. Dalrymple, trans. Leslie’s Hist. Scot., I. 5. The laitter historiographors.
1632. Milton, Penseroso, 101. Or what (though rare) of later age, Ennobled hath the Buskind stage.
1698. Fryer, Acc. E. India & P., 75. This seems to be of later date than that of Canorein.
1784. Cowper, Tiroc., 110. In early days the conscience has in most A quickness, which in later life is lost.
1871. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 8. The strange and sinister method of assault upon religion which we of a later day watch with wondering eyes.
1878. R. H. Hutton, Scott, ii. 19. The later border songs of his own country.
B. adv. At a later time or period; subsequently. Later on: subsequently.
1548. Udall, etc., Erasm. Par. Matt. ii. 1–2. Christe is no where knowen later or with more difficultie, than in … princes courtes.
1660. F. Brooke, trans. Le Blanc’s Trav., 393. The Tide and Ebbe coming sooner or later.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 613. To destroy, or unimmortal make All kinds, and for destruction to mature Sooner or later.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 518. Three days later the King informed the House that [etc.].
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. vii. 127. A foretaste of what was to come fifteen years later.
1882. Times, 12 July, 5/2. The Admiral ran up the signal, ‘Well done, Condor,’ and later on sent the Bittern and Beacon to assist in the work.
Comb. 1823. Joanna Baillie, Collect. Poems, 273. Leave we the clouds of ancient story, For scenes of later-parted glory.
