LA'TENESS, noun 1. The state of being tardy, or of coming after the usual time; as the lateness of spring or of harvest. 2. Time far advanced in any particular period; as lateness of the day or night; lateness in the season; lateness in life. 3. The state of being out of time, or after the appointed time; as the lateness of one's arrival.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI