from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Latter \Lat"ter\, a. [OE. later, l[ae]tter, compar. of lat late.
See {Late}, and cf. {Later}.]
1. Later; more recent; coming or happening after something
else; -- opposed to {former}; as, the former and latter
rain.
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2. Of two things, the one mentioned second.
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The difference between reason and revelation, and in
what sense the latter is superior. --I. Watts.
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3. Recent; modern.
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Hath not navigation discovered in these latter ages,
whole nations at the bay of Soldania? --Locke.
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4. Last; latest; final. [R.] "My latter gasp." --Shak.
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{Latter harvest}, the last part of the harvest.
{Latter spring}, the last part of the spring of the year.
--Shak.
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