The meaning of the word latter

There is some controversy afoot regarding the use of latter, particularly regarding its use to refer to items in a series. Many commentators insist that latter can only be used of a series that consists of two:

We have a chicken entree and a vegetarian entree: do you prefer the former or the latter?

When presented with a series of three or more, they say, anyone wishing to highlight the last item in the series should use last and not latter:

We had soup, fish, and dessert, and the last was uninspiring.

But our evidence shows that latter is used to refer to the last in a series regardless of number:

After Ethel’s action at Oxford, the ultimate sacrifice that symbolizes her self-discipline, the focus moves away to other members of her family for the latter third of the novel…
— Melissa Schaub, Studies in the Novel, Spring 2007

…I am getting crosser and snappier and sadder every minute straining and struggling to type and to read and to draw (the latter is the easiest).
— James Thurber, letter, 9 June 1939

…bee not over-power’d with policie, nor with enforcement of arguments, nor with the approach of Souldiers, and Troopers; the two first may seeme to perswade you, the latter may terrifie you into an everlasting undoing…
— A.L., To all the honest, wise, and grave-citizens of London, but more especially to all those that challenge an interest in the Common-Hall, 1648

This use is common enough that most modern dictionaries make mention of it in their definitions for latter—and indeed they should, since our evidence for this particular use is several hundred years old. Despite this evidence, however, there are still those who object to its use; if you are concerned about such things, use last to refer to the last item in a series of three or more.

последний, поздний, недавний, последний из двух, бывший, покойный, запоздалый

прилагательное ↓

Словосочетания

the latter stages of the process — последние этапы процесса  
the latter half of the week — вторая половина недели  
the latter half of the year — вторая половина года  
latter half of the century — вторая половина столетия  
the latter half of the century — вторая половина столетия  
the former — the latter — первый — последний  
latter half of the year — вторая половина года  
latter day — последние дни; современный; новый  
latter half of the month — вторая половина месяца  
latter half of the week — вторая половина недели  
the latter — последний из двух; последний; второй  

Примеры с переводом

Возможные однокоренные слова

later  — позже, поздно, позднее, недавно, поздний, более поздний, последний, бывший
latest  — последний, поздно, недавно, новинка
latterly  — недавно, к концу, под конец

English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old English lætra, comparative form of læt (“late”). Doublet of later; also, cognate with last, whose doublet is latest.

Pronunciation[edit]

• enPR: lăt’ə(r), IPA^(key): /ˈlæt.ə(ɹ)/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈlæt.əɹ/, [ˈlæɾ.ɚ]
• Homophone: ladder (in accents with flapping)
• Rhymes: -ætə(ɹ)

Adjective[edit]

latter (not comparable)

1. Relating to or being the second of two items.

   • March 2017, Jennifer S. Holland, “For These Monkeys, It’s a Fight for Survival.”, in National Geographic‎^[1]:

     On sale next to dried fish and chicken feet were rats and bats (the latter’s wings in a pile like leather scraps, also for sale), plus cut-up pigs and monkeys, their faces intact.

   • 1725, Isaac Watts, Logick: Or, The Right Use of Reason in the Enquiry after Truth, […], 2nd edition, London: […] John Clark and Richard Hett, […], Emanuel Matthews, […], and Richard Ford, […], published 1726, →OCLC:

     the difference between reason and revelation, and in what sense the latter is superior

2. Near (or nearer) to the end.
3. In the past, but close (or closer) to the present time.

Antonyms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

[edit]

Translations[edit]

Anagrams[edit]

• Tatler, rattle

Danish[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old Norse hlátr, from Proto-Germanic *hlahtraz (“laughter”), cognate with Norwegian lått, English laughter and German Gelächter. Derived from the verb *hlahjaną (“to laugh”), cf. Danish le, English laugh, German lachen.

Pronunciation[edit]

• IPA^(key): [ˈlad̥ɐ]

Noun[edit]

latter c (singular definite latteren, not used in plural form)

1. laughter

Declension[edit]

French[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

Verb[edit]

latter

1. to lath

Conjugation[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• “latter”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.

Norman[edit]

Etymology[edit]

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Verb[edit]

latter

1. (Jersey) to beat, spank, cane

Synonyms[edit]

• (to cane): codrer, donner la tchêne, vrédîndgi, vrier

Norwegian Bokmål[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old Norse hlátr.

Noun[edit]

latter m (definite singular latteren) (uncountable)

1. laughter
2. laugh

   en god latter ― a good laugh

Synonyms[edit]

• lått (Nynorsk also)

Derived terms[edit]

References[edit]

• “latter” in The Bokmål Dictionary.

The latter regarded the former as inftru — ments of power* wifliing ro pay their court to the Mother Countiyf by curbing the fpirit of American freedom* and the fornex kept a flridl eye on the latter* left they might fmooth the way to independency* at which they were charged, with aiming. ❋ Winterbotham, William, 1763-1829. [from Old Catalog] (1795)

If my read of my neighbors plate is accurate, the latter translates as cold hash browns. ❋ John T. Edge (2010)

I try to place criticism in this context, but so far a James Wood or Steve Kellman or Nona Bakalian has yet to pay me any heed — oh wait, the latter is already dead! ❋ L. Lee Lowe (2009)

But the faculty of judgment normally prevents us from falling into mere free — association mode: the latter is the stuff of paranoia and conspiracy theories. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Henrik Pontén (Swedish Anti-Piracy Bureau), Monique Wadsted (movie industry lawyer) and Peter Danowsky (IFPI) – the latter is also a member of the board of the association. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Republicans believe that only the latter is a stimulus. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Luckily for us lazy Linux geeks the latter is automagically put in if you use tab auto-completion. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Though there are notable parallels between Species and Splice, the latter is an infinitely better film, on every level. ❋ Unknownbinaries (2010)

Furthermore, if the latter is the case then other retailers are benefitting from Wal Mart’s higher tax payments. ❋ Unknown (2009)

Perhaps the single largest example of the latter is the current widespread use of social media within the Obama administration. ❋ Mehret Mandefro (2010)

First of all, the latter is an infinite process, not a problem with a solution. ❋ Unknown (2009)

With (500) Days, Sin Nombre and A Serious Man in competition, Precious really didn’t deserve to win either best film or best director (the latter is a total joke, the directing was by far the weakest part of the movie, I mean, compare that to the job that the Coens did) ❋ Unknown (2010)

Probably the latter is as common as the former — as the saying goes, never attribute to evil what you can to stupidity. ❋ Unknown (2010)

You seem to be confusing Congress exercising direct willpower over the world versus merely exercising direct willpower over itself, and the latter is actually something it can straightforwardly do. ❋ Unknown (2010)

* It’s easier to prove a global warming trend than «changing the climate» since the latter is a convoluted concept. ❋ Unknown (2010)

I could either go and [read a book] or [fap]. [The latter] sounds more appealing. ❋ FiendishFish (2007)

[The latter] [rain], [perhaps] ❋ Larstait (2003)

[My cat] is [sick]. [The latter] doesn’t seem to be getting better. ❋ Zickddot (2006)

«[alright] [see] u [tommorrow], latter.» ❋ Chingon (2005)

Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
: «Attending meetings on Covid-19 [in the White] House. Working with States and local governments, many of whom have done [a great job]. Full report latter!»
As part of [Trump’s] dictionary ❋ Thatintelligentguy (2020)

Man, [the latter].
Oh, [you mean]… [AWESOME]?! ❋ Kobi (2005)

[Waitress]: Would you like small or medium?
[Little Billy]: [The latter] please. (medium) ❋ Ashley Nicole Dox (2014)

Steve: We can either use a [boom] lift or [scissor lift] to get up to there.
Chuck Norris: I prefer [the latter]. ❋ Life Lemons (2018)

[Check you] Latteral, [Yeah]? ❋ Stevan Jackiw (2006)

[Paul] helped me with my [homework] [last night], he’s such a Latter! ❋ TheRealPJG (2011)

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	latter — the second of two or the second mentioned of two; «Tom and Dick were both heroes but only the latter is remembered today» 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

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

latter

adjective

1. Of or relating to a terminative condition, stage, or point:

2. Next before the present one:

The 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

Britannica Dictionary definition of LATTER

always used before a noun