la|tex /le I teks/ N‑UNCOUNT Latex is a substance obtained from some kinds of trees, which is used to make products like rubber and glue.
lathe /le I ð/ (lathes ) N‑COUNT A lathe is a machine which is used for shaping wood or metal.
lath|er /lɑː ðə r , læ ðə r / (lathers , lathering , lathered )
1 N‑SING A lather is a white mass of bubbles which is produced by mixing a substance such as soap or washing powder with water. □ [+ with ] …the sort of water that easily makes a lather with soap. □ He wiped off the remains of the lather with a towel.
2 VERB When a substance such as soap or washing powder lathers , it produces a white mass of bubbles because it has been mixed with water. □ [V ] The shampoo lathers and foams so much it's very hard to rinse it all out.
3 VERB If you lather something, you rub a substance such as soap or washing powder on it until a lather is produced, in order to clean it. □ [V n] Lather your hair as normal. □ [V n with adv] For super-soft skin, lather on a light body lotion before you bathe. [Also V n prep]
Lat|in ◆◇◇ /læ t I n/ (Latins )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Latin is the language which the ancient Romans used to speak.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Latin countries are countries where Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese, Italian, or French, is spoken. You can also use Latin to refer to things and people that come from these countries. □ Cuba was one of the least Catholic of the Latin countries. □ The enthusiasm for Latin music is worldwide.
3 N‑COUNT [usu pl] Latins are people who come from countries where Spanish, or perhaps Portuguese, Italian, or French, are spoken or whose families come from one of these countries. □ They are role models for thousands of young Latins.
La t|in Ame ri|can (Latin Americans )
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Latin American means belonging or relating to the countries of South America, Central America, and Mexico. Latin American also means belonging or relating to the people of culture of these countries.
2 N‑COUNT A Latin American is a person who comes from South America, Central America, or Mexico.
La|ti|no /lætiː noʊ/ (Latinos ) also latino
1 N‑COUNT [oft N n] A Latino is a citizen of the United States who originally came from Latin America, or whose family originally came from Latin America. [mainly AM ] □ He was a champion for Latinos and blacks within the educational system. □ …the city's office of Latino Affairs.
2 ADJ Latino means belonging or relating to Latino people or their culture.
lati|tude /læ t I tjuːd, [AM ] -tuːd/ (latitudes )
1 N‑VAR The latitude of a place is its distance from the equator. Compare longitude . □ In the middle to high latitudes rainfall has risen steadily over the last 20–30 years. ● ADJ Latitude is also an adjective. □ The army must cease military operations above 36 degrees latitude north.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Latitude is freedom to choose the way in which you do something. [FORMAL ] □ He would be given every latitude in forming a new government.
la|trine /lətriː n/ (latrines ) N‑COUNT A latrine is a structure, usually consisting of a hole in the ground, that is used as a toilet, for example in a military camp.
lat|te /læ te I , [AM ] lɑː te I / (lattes ) N‑UNCOUNT Latte is strong coffee mixed with hot milk. ● N‑COUNT A latte is a cup of latte.
lat|ter ◆◇◇ /læ tə r /
1 PRON 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. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Latter is also an adjective. □ There are the people who speak after they think and the people who think while they're speaking. Mike definitely belongs in the latter category.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] You use latter to describe the later part of a period of time or event. □ The latter part of the debate concentrated on abortion.
la tter-day ADJ [ADJ n] Latter-day is used to describe someone or something that is a modern equivalent of a person or thing in the past. □ He holds the belief that he is a latter-day prophet.
lat|ter|ly /læ tə r li/ ADV You can use latterly to indicate that a situation or event is the most recent one. [WRITTEN ] □ He sat on the board for more than a decade, latterly as chairman.
lat|tice /læ t I s/ (lattices ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] A lattice is a pattern or structure made of strips of wood or another material which cross over each other diagonally leaving holes in between. □ [+ of ] We were crawling along the narrow steel lattice of the bridge.
lat|ticed /læ t I st/ ADJ [usu ADJ n, oft v-link ADJ with n] Something that is latticed is decorated with or is in the form of a lattice. □ …latticed doors. □ The surface of the brain is pinky-grey and latticed with tiny blood vessels.
lat|tice|work /læ t I swɜː r k/ N‑UNCOUNT Latticework is any structure that is made in the form of a lattice. □ …latticework chairs.
laud /lɔː d/ (lauds , lauding , lauded ) VERB If people laud someone, they praise and admire them. [JOURNALISM ] □ [V n] He lauded the work of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. □ [V n + as ] They lauded the former president as a hero. □ [V n + for ] Dickens was lauded for his social and moral sensitivity. ● laud|ed ADJ □ …the most lauded actress in New York.
laud|able /lɔː dəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is laudable deserves to be praised or admired. [FORMAL ] □ One of Emma's less laudable characteristics was her jealousy.