1
[PRON 代词](两者之间的)后者 When two people, things, or groups have just been mentioned, you can refer to the second of them as
the latter.
He tracked down his cousin and uncle. The latter was sick.
他追查到了堂弟和叔叔的下落,发现叔叔这时正在病中。
Latter is also an adjective.2
[ADJ 形容词](一个时期或事件)后一半的,接近终了的 You use
latter to describe the later part of a period of time or event.
He is getting into the latter years of his career...
他正步入职业生涯的后半程。
The latter part of the debate concentrated on abortion.
后半部分的辩论集中在堕胎问题上。
Usage Note :
The latter should only be used to refer to the second of two items which have already been mentioned: Given the choice between working for someone else and being on call day and night for the family business, she'd prefer the latter. The last of three or more items can be referred to as the last-named. Compare this with the former which is used to talk about the first of two things already mentioned.
the latter只能用来表示提到的两者中的后者: Given the choice between working for someone else and being on call day and night for the family business, she'd prefer the latter(在替人打工和为家族生意日夜候命之间,她宁愿选择后者)。指三者或以上事情中的最后一项,可用the last-named。试比较the former,它用于指提到的两者中的前者。