latter
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lat·ter
(lăt′ər)adj.
1. Being the second of two persons or things mentioned: Regarding captain and major, the latter rank is higher.
2. Near or nearer to the end: the latter part of the book.
3. Further advanced in time or sequence; later: a style that has been revived in latter times.
n.
The second of two persons or things mentioned.
lat′ter·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
latter
(ˈlætə)adj (prenominal)
1.
a. denoting the second or second mentioned of two: distinguished from former
b. (as noun; functioning as sing or plural): the latter is not important.
2. near or nearer the end: the latter part of a film.
3. more advanced in time or sequence; later
Usage: The latter should only be used to refer to the second of two items: many people choose to go by hovercraft rather than use the ferry, but I prefer the latter. The last of three or more items can be referred to as the last-named
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
lat•ter
(ˈlæt ər)adj.
1. being the second mentioned of two (disting. from former): the latter version of the story.
2. more advanced in time; later: in these latter days of human progress.
3. near or comparatively near to the end: the latter part of the century.
4. Obs. last; final.
[before 1000; Middle English latt(e)re, Old English lætra, comp. of læt late]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
latter
formerThe latter should only be used to refer to the second of two things or people which have already been mentioned.
Given the choice between working for someone else and working for the family business, she'd prefer the latter.
You use the former to talk about the first of two things already mentioned.
These two firms are in direct competition, with the former trying to cut costs and increase profits.
If you are talking about three or more things or people, don't use 'the latter' or 'the former'. Use an expression with the last or the first.
The company has three branches, in Birmingham, Plymouth, and Greenock. The last of these will close next year.
If you are mentioning things for the first time, don't use 'the former' or 'the latter'. Use the first or the second.
There will be two matches next week. The first will be in Brighton, and the second in London.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | ![]() second - following the first in an ordering or series; "he came in a close second" former - the first of two or the first mentioned of two; "Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the former is remembered today" |
Adj. | 1. | latter - referring to the second of two things or persons mentioned (or the last one or ones of several); "in the latter case" former - referring to the first of two things or persons mentioned (or the earlier one or ones of several); "the novel was made into a film in 1943 and again in 1967; I prefer the former version to the latter one" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
latter
pronoun second, last, last-mentioned, second-mentioned He tracked down his cousin and uncle. The latter was sick.
adjective last, later, latest, ending, closing, final, concluding The latter part of the debate concentrated on abortion.
last earlier, former, previous, prior, preceding, foregoing, antecedent
last earlier, former, previous, prior, preceding, foregoing, antecedent
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
latter
adjectiveThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
الأخير
druhýposlední
senere
késõbbi
síîari; seinni
paskiausiaipastarasis
pēdējais
drugi
sonsona yakın
latter
[ˈlætəʳ]A. ADJ
1. (= last) → último
the latter part of the story → la última parte del relato
in the latter part of the century → hacia fines or finales del siglo
the latter part of the story → la última parte del relato
in the latter part of the century → hacia fines or finales del siglo
2. (of two) → segundo
B. N the latter (sing) → éste/ésta; (pl) → éstos/éstas
the former ... the latter → aquél ... éste ...
the former ... the latter → aquél ... éste ...
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
latter
[ˈlætər] n
the latter → ce dernier(cette dernière)
He tracked down his cousin and uncle. The latter was sick → Il retrouva la trace de son cousin et de son oncle. Ce dernier était malade.
Men still outnumber women, though the latter are catching up → Les hommes sont toujours plus nombreux que les femmes, bien que ces dernières soient en train de refaire leur retard.
The latter is the more expensive of the two systems
BUT Ce dernier système est le plus coûteux des deux.
the former ..., the latter ... → le premier ..., le second ...
The former lives in the US, the latter in Australia → Le premier habite aux États-Unis, le second en Australie.
the latter → ce dernier(cette dernière)
He tracked down his cousin and uncle. The latter was sick → Il retrouva la trace de son cousin et de son oncle. Ce dernier était malade.
Men still outnumber women, though the latter are catching up → Les hommes sont toujours plus nombreux que les femmes, bien que ces dernières soient en train de refaire leur retard.
The latter is the more expensive of the two systems
BUT Ce dernier système est le plus coûteux des deux.
the former ..., the latter ... → le premier ..., le second ...
The former lives in the US, the latter in Australia → Le premier habite aux États-Unis, le second en Australie.
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
latter
adj
(= second of two) → letztere(r, s)
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
latter
[ˈlætəʳ]2. adj
b. (of two) the latter part of the story → la seconda or l'ultima parte della storia
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
latter
(ˈlӕtə) adjective towards the end. the latter part of our holiday.
ˈlatterly adverb1. recently; lately.
2. towards the end.
the latter the second of two things etc mentioned. John and Mary arrived, the latter wearing a green wool dress.
to choose the second or latter (not later) of two alternatives.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
latter
pron. éste, ésta; el, la más reciente, el más moderno, la más moderna.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012