latter, later

latter, later
As is mentioned in the entry FORMER, latter means "the second of two": "I prefer your latter suggestion to your first." Latter also has the meaning of "more advanced in time" and "near the end": "In the latter years of his life, he was a happy man." "In these latter months she has become angry and frustrated." In sentences such as these two, later, being the comparative degree of late, could be substituted for latter. However, later is more likely to be used to refer largely or solely to time references, whereas latter can refer not only to time but to any kind of series: "I may be free or occupied in the morning; in the latter event, I shall have to see you later in the day."

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  • latter — See former, latter See latter, later …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • later — See latter, later …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • 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. [1913 Webster] 2. Of two things, the one… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Latter harvest — 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. [1913 Webster] 2. Of two things,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Latter spring — 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. [1913 Webster] 2. Of two things,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • later vs latter —   Later is an adverb. It s used to express time, either in the future or after the time you have mentioned.   For example: I ll see you later on Second Life.   Latter is an adjectiv, which means near or towards the end of something   For example …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • later vs latter —   Later is an adverb. It s used to express time, either in the future or after the time you have mentioned.   For example: I ll see you later on Second Life.   Latter is an adjectiv, which means near or towards the end of something   For example …   English dictionary of common mistakes and confusing words

  • latter — [ late ] v. tr. <conjug. : 1> • 1288; de latte ♦ Garnir de lattes. Latter un plafond. Latter à lattes jointives, à claire voie. ● latter verbe transitif Garnir quelque chose de lattes. latter v. tr. d1./d Garnir de lattes. d2./d Arg. Donner …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • later / latter —    Later means afterward : Come later than seven o clock.    Latter means the last of two things mentioned : If I have to choose between brains or beauty, I ll take the latter …   Confused words

  • later / latter —    Later means afterward : Come later than seven o clock.    Latter means the last of two things mentioned : If I have to choose between brains or beauty, I ll take the latter …   Confused words

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