a. and sb. [a. L. ulterior further, more distant, comp. of *ulter (cf. ultrā, ultrō advs.) that is beyond. Hence also It. ulteriore, Sp. and Pg. ulterior, F. ultérieur (16th c.).]
A. adj. 1. Lying beyond that which is immediate or present; coming at a subsequent point or stage; further, future.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. i. 49. If the prescription of time, and numerositie of assertors, were a sufficient demonstration, we might sit downe herein, as an unquestionable truth; nor should there need vlterior disquisition.
1661. Boyle, Style of Script., 211. The Ulterior Accomplishment of that Part of it [sc. Scripture], which once Promis’d God’s People, that Kings should be its Nursing Fathers.
1816. A. Knox, Rem. (1831), I. 54. These changes were meant by Providence to subserve ulterior movements.
1827. Jarman, Powell’s Devises, II. 75. The principle which confers upon him the ulterior interest in the lands directed to be sold would seem to exclude him in the converse case.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), I. iv. 336. The request was only preparatory to ulterior measures.
1884. Manch. Exam., 10 May, 5/4. The attitude and disposition of those Powers, as bearing upon their ulterior action, necessarily enter into the question.
b. spec. Lying beyond what is openly stated, avowed, or evident; intentionally kept in the background or concealed.
1735. Bolingbroke, Study Hist., viii. (1752), II. 98. By reserving still a right of making ulterior demands, they reduced the Carthaginians at last to the necessity of abandoning their city, or of continuing the war.
1825. T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Man of Many Fr. (Colburn), 86. Without any knowledge of her uncle’s ulterior intentions on the subject.
1856. N. Brit. Rev., XXVI. 197. There is no reason for suspecting him of ulterior designs of a deeper and more treacherous dye.
1877. Froude, Short Stud. (1883), IV. I. iii. 30. He was … the most unlikely … to have adopted a course so marked without some ulterior purpose.
2. Lying on the further side of a point or boundary; more remote in position.
1721. Bailey, Ulterior, on the farther Side.
1798. Phil. Trans., LXXXVIII. 167. This scale … containing three parallel lines engraven thereon, on the exterior and ulterior of which are three divisions.
1817. Chalmers, Astron. Disc., iii. (1852), 68. To shoot afar into those ulterior regions which are beyond the limits of our astronomy.
1864. Bailey, Festus (ed. 7), 120. The thunderous bars Of Heaven’s ulterior orb.
B. sb. A further aim or end.
1843. Chalmers, in Hanna, Mem. (1852), IV. xviii. 351. This will open … a bright and beautiful ulterior, to which every eye should be directed.
Hence Ulteriority, an ulterior thing or matter.
1814. Parr, Lett. to S. Butler, 1 April, Wks. 1828, VII. 363. I shall say something about the ulteriorities, and you must sympathise and co-operate with me.
