latter
/ˈlatə
/adjective [attributive]
1Occurring or situated nearer to the end of something than to the beginning: the latter half of 1989 heart disease dogged his latter years...
- The real significance was the difference in tone and style between the beginning of his speech and the latter half.
- Violent times for the poor reigned in the latter half of the last century and into the beginning of this one.
- Joining in the programme in the latter half, she will talk about her career, her father and her music.
Synonyms
later, hindmost, closing, end, concluding, final
1.1Recent: the project has had low cash flows in latter years...
- The latter event came closest to threatening the singer's customary composure.
Synonyms
latest, most recent, modern
2 (the latter) Denoting the second or second mentioned of two people or things: the Russians could advance into either Germany or Austria—they chose the latter option [as noun]: the President appoints the Prime Minister and, on the latter’s advice, the rest of the government...
- I mention the latter because of what we both saw under a tree some distance from us.
- If dealer does the latter, a second round of bidding occurs in which eldest hand has the right to name the trump suit.
- To be or not to be - I'm rubbish at the former, and the latter isn't an option.
Synonyms
last-mentioned, second-mentioned, second of the two, second, last, later
Usage
It is not considered good writing style to use latter to refer to more than two things. For an explanation, see former1 (usage).
Origin
Old English lætra 'slower', comparative of læt (see late).