Departed — late (4)
I believe the answer is:
dead
I believe this clue is a double definition.
'departed' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'late' is the second definition.
(similar in meaning)
(Other definitions for dead that I've seen before include "Defunct" , "Pushing up the daisies" , "No longer alive" , "cold" , "Six feet under" .)