Latter, a.
Etymology: [OE. later, lætter, 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.
2. Of two things, the one mentioned second. The difference between reason and revelation, and in what sense the latter is superior. I. Watts.
3. Recent; modern. Hath not navigation discovered in these latter ages, whole nations at the bay of Soldania Locke.
4. Last; latest; final. [R.] "My latter gasp." Shak. Latter harvest, the last part of the harvest. -- Latter spring, the last part of the spring of the year. Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists latter only as an antonym, under previous.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given