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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Not long ago; lately. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Compar. Later or latter superl. Latest r Last ] [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. someone who arrives late. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Belated; too late. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. (Naut.) Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa; pertaining to a lateen sail. See below. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. rigged with a triangular (lateen sail).
Syn. -- lateen-rigged. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. the rig on a sailing vessel with a lateen sail. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

adj. rigged with a triangular (lateen sail).
Syn. -- lateen. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ F. voile latine a sail in the shape of a right-angled triangle; cf. It. & Sp. vela latina; properly Latin sail. See Latin. ] (Naut.) A triangular sail, extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast, this end being brought down at the tack, while the other end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees; -- used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen sails have also a boom on the lower side. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Not long ago; recently; as, he has lately arrived from Italy. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Latency. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]