latter

adj

Etymology: From Middle English latter, lattere, lattre, from Old English lætra, comparative form of læt (“late”). Equivalent to late + -er, thus a doublet of later; also, related to last, whose doublet is latest.

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

   “The archaic past participle shapen is only used in misshapen, ill-shapen, and well-shapen (the latter two are much less common, though).”

   “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.”

2. Near (or nearer) to the end.

   “the latter part of the century”

3. In the past, but close (or closer) to the present time.

   “In his latter years my dad became very absent-minded.”

   “Hath not navigation discovered in these latter ages, whole nations at the bay of Soldania […]?”