Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LATE'NESS, n.

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.