lateness
UK[ˈleɪtnəs]US[ˈleɪtnəs]
n
the fact or quality of happening or arriving after the expected or usual time
n
the fact of being near the end of a period of time or a process
Morpheme Breakdown
late
ness
late
after the expected time
ness
state or quality
Etymology
the word 'lateness' is a transparent english formation, combining the native adjective 'late' with the productive suffix '-ness'. the root 'late' descends from proto-germanic lataz, meaning 'slow, lazy', which itself may derive from the proto-indo-european root led-, meaning 'to be weary'. the suffix '-ness' is one of the most common and enduring means in english to derive an abstract noun denoting a state or quality from an adjective. thus, the literal construction 'the state of being late' directly and logically yields the modern abstract meanings concerning tardiness or a point far advanced in time.
Analysis
Structure: late (after the expected time) + ness (state or quality)
- late: from old english læt (slow, tardy), of germanic origin; related to dutch laat and german lass (idle, weary). functions as the core adjective.
- ness: from old english -nes, -ness, a suffix forming abstract nouns of state or quality. functions as a noun-forming suffix.
Examples
his chronic lateness was beginning to annoy his colleagues.
the lateness of the hour made her decide to postpone the meeting until morning.
we apologize for the lateness of the train due to signaling problems.