Last - lathee

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Coloq. At last , at the end of a certain period; after delay. “The duke of Savoy felt that the time had at last arrived.” Motley. -- Coloq. At the last . [Prob. fr. AS. on lāste behind, following behind, fr. lāst race, track, footstep. See mold of the foot.] At the end; in the conclusion. [Obs.] “Gad, a troop shall overcome him; but he shall overcome at the last.” Gen. xlix. 19. -- Coloq. Last heir , the person to whom lands escheat for lack of an heir. [Eng.] Abbott. -- Coloq. On one's last legs , at, or near, the end of one's resources; hence, on the verge of failure or ruin, especially in a financial sense. [Colloq.] -- Coloq. To breathe one's last , to die. -- Coloq. To the last , to the end; till the conclusion.
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And blunder on in business to the last. Pope.

Syn. -- , . These phrases both denote that some delayed end or result has been reached. At length implies that a long period was spent in so doing; as, after a voyage of more than three months, we at Length arrived safe. At last commonly implies that something has occurred (as interruptions, disappointments, etc.) which leads us to emphasize the idea of having reached the end; as, in spite of every obstacle, we have at last arrived.
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Last (lȧst), adv. [See , a.] 1. At a time or on an occasion which is the latest of all those spoken of or which have occurred; the last time; as, I saw him last in New York.
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2. In conclusion; finally; lastly.
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Pleased with his idol, he commends, admires,
Adores; and, last, the thing adored desires. Dryden.
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3. At a time next preceding the present time.
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How long is't now since last yourself and I
Were in a mask ? Shak.
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Last, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Lasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Lasting.] [OE. lasten, As. læstan to perform, execute, follow, last, continue, fr. lāst, lǣst, trace, footstep, course; akin to G. leisten to perform, Goth. laistjan to follow. See mold of the foot.] 1. To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence.
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[I] proffered me to be slave in all that she me would ordain while my life lasted. Testament of Love.
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2. To endure use, or continue in existence, without impairment or exhaustion; as, this cloth lasts better than that; the fuel will last through the winter.
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Last, n. [AS. lāst trace, track, footstep; akin to D. leest a last, G. leisten, Sw. läst, Dan. læst, Icel. leistr the foot below the ankle, Goth. laists track, way; from a root signifying, to go. Cf. , v. i., , .] A wooden block shaped like the human foot, on which boots and shoes are formed.
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The cobbler is not to go beyond his last. L'Estrange.
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Coloq. Darning last , a smooth, hard body, often egg-shaped, put into a stocking to preserve its shape in darning.
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Last, v. t. To shape with a last; to fasten or fit to a last; to place smoothly on a last; as, to last a boot.
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Last, n. [As. hlæst, fr. hladan to lade; akin to OHG. hlast, G., D., Dan., & Sw. last: cf. F. laste, last, a last, of German or Dutch origin. See .] 1. A load; a heavy burden; hence, a certain weight or measure, generally estimated at 4,000 lbs., but varying for different articles and in different countries. In England, a last of codfish, white herrings, meal, or ashes, is twelve barrels; a last of corn, ten quarters, or eighty bushels, in some parts of England, twenty-one quarters; of gunpowder, twenty-four barrels, each containing 100 lbs; of red herrings, twenty cades, or 20,000; of hides, twelve dozen; of leather, twenty dickers; of pitch and tar, fourteen barrels; of wool, twelve sacks; of flax or feathers, 1,700 lbs.
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2. The burden of a ship; a cargo.
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Lastage (?) n. [E. lestage ballasting, fr. lest ballast, or LL. lastagium, lestagium. See a load.] 1. A duty exacted, in some fairs or markets, for the right to carry things where one will. [Obs.]
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2. A tax on wares sold by the last. [Obs.] Cowell.
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3. The lading of a ship; also, ballast. Spelman.
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4. Room for stowing goods, as in a ship.
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Laste (?), obs. imp. of , to endure. Chaucer.
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Laster, n. A workman whose business it is to shape boots or shoes, or place leather smoothly, on lasts; a tool for stretching leather on a last.
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Lastery (?), n. A red color. [Obs.] Spenser.
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Lasthenia prop. n. A small genus of herbs of the Pacific coast of North and South America.
Syn. -- genus Lasthenia.
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Lasting, a. Existing or continuing a long while; enduring; as, a lasting good or evil; a lasting color.
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Syn. -- Durable; permanent; undecaying; perpetual; unending. -- , , . Lasting commonly means merely continuing in existence; permanent carries the idea of continuing in the same state, position, or course; durable means lasting in spite of agencies which tend to destroy.
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Lasting, n. 1. Continuance; endurance. Locke.
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2. A species of very durable woolen stuff, used for women's shoes; everlasting.
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3. The act or process of shaping on a last.
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Lastingly, adv. In a lasting manner.
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lastingness n. permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force.
Syn. -- durability, enduringness, strength.
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Lastly, adv. 1. In the last place; in conclusion.
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2. at last; finally.
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Lastreopsis prop. n. A genus of tropical terrestrial shield ferns.
Syn. -- genus Lastreopsis.
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Lat (lăt), v. t. To let; to allow. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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{ Lata, Latah } (?), n. [Malay.] A convulsive tic or hysteric neurosis prevalent among Malays, similar to or identical with miryachit and jumping disease, the person affected performing various involuntary actions and making rapid inarticulate ejaculations in imitation of the actions and words of another person.
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Latakia (?), n. [Turk.] A superior quality of Turkish smoking tobacco, so called from the place where produced, the ancient Laodicea.
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Latch (lăch), v. t. [Cf. F. lécher to lick (of German origin). Cf. .] To smear; to anoint. [Obs.] Shak.
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Latch, n. [OE. lacche, fr. lacchen to seize, As. læccan.] 1. That which fastens or holds; a lace; a snare. [Obs.] Rom. of R.
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2. A movable piece which holds anything in place by entering a notch or cavity; specifically, the catch which holds a door or gate when closed, though it be not bolted.
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3. (Naut.) A latching.
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4. A crossbow. [Obs.] Wright.
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Latch, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Latched (lăcht); p. pr. & vb. n. Latching.] [OE. lacchen. See . n.] 1. To catch so as to hold. [Obs.]
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Those that remained threw darts at our men, and latching our darts, sent them again at us. Golding.
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2. To catch or fasten by means of a latch.
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The door was only latched. Locke.
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latched adj. secured by means of a latch against opening.
Syn. -- fastened.
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Latchet (?), n. [OE. lachet, from an OF. dialect form of F. lacet plaited string, lace dim. of lacs. See .] The string that fastens a shoe; a shoestring.
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Latching, n. (Naut.) A loop or eye formed on the head rope of a bonnet, by which it is attached to the foot of a sail; -- called also latch and lasket. [Usually in pl.]
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Latchkey (?), n. A key used to raise, or throw back, the latch of a door, esp. a night latch.
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latchkey child (?), n. A child who frequently spends part of the day at home without adult supervision, especially a school child who returns home before the parent(s) return from work. Called also door-key child.
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Latchstring (?), n. A string for raising the latch of a door by a person outside. It is fastened to the latch and passed through a hole above it in the door.
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Coloq. To find the latchstring out , to meet with hospitality; to be welcome. (Intrusion is prevented by drawing in the latchstring.) [Colloq. U.S.]
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Late (lāt), a. [Compar. Later (lātẽr), or latter (lăttẽr); superl. Latest (lātĕst) or Last (lȧst).] [OE. lat slow, slack, AS. læt; akin to OS. lat, D. laat late, G. lass weary, lazy, slack, Icel. latr, Sw. lat, Dan. lad, Goth. lats, and to E. let, v. See to permit, and cf. , .] 1. Coming after the time when due, or after the usual or proper time; not early; slow; tardy; long delayed; as, a late spring.
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2. Far advanced toward the end or close; as, a late hour of the day; a late period of life.
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3. Existing or holding some position not long ago, but not now; recently deceased, departed, or gone out of office; as, the late bishop of London; the late administration.
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4. Not long past; happening not long ago; recent; as, the late rains; we have received late intelligence.
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5. Continuing or doing until an advanced hour of the night; as, late revels; a late watcher.
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Late, adv. [AS. late. See , a.] 1. After the usual or proper time, or the time appointed; after delay; as, he arrived late; -- opposed to early.
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2. Not long ago; lately.
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3. Far in the night, day, week, or other particular period; as, to lie abed late; to sit up late at night.
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Coloq. Of late , in time not long past, or near the present; lately; as, the practice is of late uncommon. -- Coloq. Too late , after the proper or available time; when the time or opportunity is past.
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latecomer n. someone who arrives late.
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Lated (?), a. Belated; too late. [Obs.] Shak.
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lateen (?), a. 1. (Naut.) Of or pertaining to a peculiar rig used in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters, esp. on the northern coast of Africa; pertaining to a lateen sail. See below.
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2. rigged with a triangular (lateen sail).
Syn. -- lateen-rigged.
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lateen sail n. [F. voile latine a sail in the shape of a right-angled triangle; cf. It. & Sp. vela latina; properly Latin sail. See .] (Naut.) A triangular sail, extended by a long yard, which is slung at about one fourth of its length from the lower end, to a low mast, this end being brought down at the tack, while the other end is elevated at an angle or about forty-five degrees; -- used in small boats, feluccas, xebecs, etc., especially in the Mediterranean and adjacent waters. Some lateen sails have also a boom on the lower side.
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lateen-rig n. the rig on a sailing vessel with a lateen sail.
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lateen-rigged adj. rigged with a triangular (lateen sail).
Syn. -- lateen.
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Lately (?), adv. Not long ago; recently; as, he has lately arrived from Italy.
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Latence (?), n. Latency. Coleridge.
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Latency (?), n. [See .] 1. The state or quality of being latent.
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To simplify the discussion, I shall distinguish three degrees of this latency. Sir W. Hamilton.
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2. The time between a stimulus the appearance of the response; the time between any causal action and the first appearance of the effect. Called also latent period.
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3. Hence: (Med.) The time between exposure to a carcinogen or other disease-causing agent and the appearance of the consequent disease.
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Lateness (?), n. The state, condition, or quality, of being late; as, the lateness of his arrival; the lateness of the hour; the lateness of the season.
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Latent (lāt�nt), a. [L. latens, -entis, p. pr. of latere to lie hid or concealed; cf. Gr. lanqanein, E. lethargy: cf. F. latent.] 1. Not visible or apparent; hidden; concealed; secret; dormant; as, latent springs of action.
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The evils latent in the most promising contrivances are provided for as they arise. Burke.
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2. (Med.) Existing but not presenting symptoms; dormant or developing; -- of disease, especially infectious diseases; as, the latent phase of an infection.
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Coloq. Latent buds (Bot.), buds which remain undeveloped or dormant for a long time, but may eventually grow. Coloq. Latent heat (Physics), that quantity of heat which disappears or becomes concealed in a body while producing some change in it other than rise of temperature, as fusion, evaporation, or expansion, the quantity being constant for each particular body and for each species of change; the amount of heat required to produce a change of phase. -- Coloq. Latent period . (a) (Med.) The regular time in which a disease is supposed to be existing without manifesting itself. (b) (Physiol.) One of the phases in a simple muscular contraction, in which invisible preparatory changes are taking place in the nerve and muscle. (c) (Biol.) One of those periods or resting stages in the development of the ovum, in which development is arrested prior to renewed activity.
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Latently, adv. In a secret or concealed manner; invisibly.
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Later (?), n.; pl. Lateres (#). [L.] A brick or tile. Knight.
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Later (?), a. Compar. of , a. & adv.
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Laterad (?), adv. [L. latus, lateris, side + ad to.] (Anat.) Toward the side; away from the mesial plane; -- opposed to mesiad.
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Lateral (?), a. [L. lateralis, fr. latus, lateris, side: cf. F. latéral.] 1. Of or pertaining to the sides; as, the lateral walls of a house; the lateral branches of a tree.
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2. (Anat.) Lying at, or extending toward, the side; away from the mesial plane; external; -- opposed to mesial.
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3. Directed to the side; as, a lateral view of a thing.
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Coloq. Lateral cleavage (Crystallog.), cleavage parallel to the lateral planes. -- Coloq. Lateral equation (Math.), an equation of the first degree. [Obs.] -- Coloq. Lateral line (Anat.), in fishes, a line of sensory organs along either side of the body, often marked by a distinct line of color. -- Coloq. Lateral pressure or Coloq. stress (Mech.), a pressure or stress at right angles to the length, as of a beam or bridge; -- distinguished from longitudinal pressure or stress. -- Coloq. Lateral strength (Mech.), strength which resists a tendency to fracture arising from lateral pressure. -- Coloq. Lateral system (Bridge Building), the system of horizontal braces (as between two vertical trusses) by which lateral stiffness is secured.
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lateral, lateral pass (?), n. (Football) 1. A short pass to a receiver who is upfield from the passer, i.e. is behind the passer relative to the direction of the passer's goal.
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2. A part or extension of something that points sideways, as a drift in a mine that goes to the side from the main one.
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lateral (?), v. t. & i. (Football) To pass the footbal to a receiver who is behind the passer; to make a lateral pass; as, the ball was lateraled to the fullback, who ran it for a touchdown.
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Laterality (?), n. The state or condition of being lateral.
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Laterally (?), adv. By the side; sidewise; toward, or from, the side.
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Lateran (?), n. The church and palace of St. John Lateran, the church being the cathedral church of Rome, and the highest in rank of all churches in the Catholic world.
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☞ The name is said to have been derived from that of the Laterani family, who possessed a palace on or near the spot where the church now stands. In this church several ecclesiastical councils, hence called Lateran councils, have been held.
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Latered (?), a. Inclined to delay; dilatory. [Obs.] “When a man is too latered.” Chaucer.
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Laterifolious (?), a. [L. latus, lateris, side + folium leaf: cf. F. latérifolié.] (Bot.) Growing from the stem by the side of a leaf; as, a laterifolious flower.
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Laterite (?), n. [L. later brick, tile: cf. F. latérite.] (Geol.) An argillaceous sandstone, of a red color, and much seamed; -- found in India.
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Lateritic (?), a. Consisting of, containing, or characterized by, laterite; as, lateritic formations.
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Lateritious (?), a. [L. lateritius, fr. later a brick.] Like bricks; of the color of red bricks.
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Coloq. Lateritious sediment (Med.), a sediment in urine resembling brick dust, observed after the crises of fevers, and at the termination of gouty paroxysms. It usually consists of uric acid or urates with some coloring matter.
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Lates (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. � a fish of the Nile.] (Zoöl.) A genus of large percoid fishes, of which one species (Lates Niloticus) inhabits the Nile, and another (Lates calcarifer) is found in the Ganges and other Indian rivers. They are valued as food fishes.
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Latescence (?), n. A slight withdrawal from view or knowledge. Sir W. Hamilton.
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Latescent (?), a. [L. latescens, -entis, p. pr. of latescere to be concealed, fr. latere to be hid.] Slightly withdrawn from view or knowledge; as, a latescent meaning. Sir W. Hamilton.
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Latewake (?), n. See Lich wake, under .
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Lateward (?), a. & adv. Somewhat late; backward. [Obs.] “Lateward lands.” Holland.
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Latex (?), n. [L.] 1. (Bot.) A milky or colored juice in certain plants in cavities (called latex cells or latex tubes). It contains the peculiar principles of the plants, whether aromatic, bitter, or acid, and in many instances yields caoutchouc upon coagulation. The lattex of the India rubber plant produces the rubber of commerce on coagulation.
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2. (Chem.) Any aqueous emulsion of finely divided rubber or plastic particles, especially such an emulsion used as a base for paint; as, a latex paint.
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Lath (?), n.; pl. Laths (#). [OE. laththe, latthe, latte, AS. lætta; akin to D. lat, G. latte, OHG. latta; cf. W. llath a rod, staff, yard. Cf. , .] A thin, narrow strip of wood, nailed to the rafters, studs, or floor beams of a building, for the purpose of supporting the tiles, plastering, etc. A corrugated metallic strip or plate is sometimes used.
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Coloq. Lath brick , a long, slender brick, used in making the floor on which malt is placed in the drying kiln. Coloq. Lath nail a slender nail for fastening laths.
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Lath (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Lathed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Lathing.] To cover or line with laths.
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Lathe (lä�), n. [AS. lǣð. Of uncertain origin.] Formerly, a part or division of a county among the Anglo-Saxons. At present it consists of four or five hundreds, and is confined to the county of Kent. [Written also lath.] Brande & C.
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Lathe (lā�), n. [OE. lathe a granary; akin to G. lade a chest, Icel. hlaða a storehouse, barn; but cf. also Icel. löð a smith's lathe. Senses 2 and 3 are perh. of the same origin as lathe a granary, the original meaning being, a frame to hold something. If so, the word is from an older form of E. lade to load. See to load.] 1. A granary; a barn. [Obs.] Chaucer.
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2. (Mach.) A machine for turning, that is, for shaping articles of wood, metal, or other material, by causing them to revolve while acted upon by a cutting tool.
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3. The movable swing frame of a loom, carrying the reed for separating the warp threads and beating up the weft; -- called also lay and batten.
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Coloq. Blanchard lathe , a lathe for turning irregular forms after a given pattern, as lasts, gunstocks, and the like. -- Coloq. Drill lathe , or Coloq. Speed lathe , a small lathe which, from its high speed, is adapted for drilling; a hand lathe. -- Coloq. Engine lathe , a turning lathe in which the cutting tool has an automatic feed; -- used chiefly for turning and boring metals, cutting screws, etc. -- Coloq. Foot lathe , a lathe which is driven by a treadle worked by the foot. -- Coloq. Geometric lathe . See under -- Coloq. Hand lathe , a lathe operated by hand; a power turning lathe without an automatic feed for the tool. -- Coloq. Slide lathe , an engine lathe. -- Coloq. Throw lathe , a small lathe worked by one hand, while the cutting tool is held in the other.
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lathee n. a heavy stick (often bamboo) bound with iron; used by police in India.
Syn. -- lathi.
[WordNet 1.5]

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