1610s, "overtaken by night," past participle adjective from belate "to make late, detain," from be- + late. Sense of "coming past due, behind date" is from 1660s. Related: Belatedly.
权威例句
1. a belated birthday present
迟来的生日礼物
2. They made a belated attempt to save her life.
他们力图挽救她的生命,可是已经太迟了.
3. The belated travellers lost their way in the forest.
天色已晚尚在赶路的旅行者们在森林中迷了路.
4. His policies are now quite belated.
他推行的政策现已过时.
5. The award is being made in belated recognition of her services to the industry.