If “latter” comes first, and “former” comes second, what comes third? Or fourth? [closed]

If we had an hour long discussion, and discussed 5 topics: A, B, C, D and E in order, to the extent that we are talking about "E" right now, if "D" is the latter, and "C" is the former, what is "B" to be called, following this "latter, former" syntax? Does such a word exist?

Bonus question: - What about A?

EDIT (for the regulars, the editors, the potential downvoters): If you think that "former" and "latter" are "only allowed to be used when referencing 2 objects", you're right, yes, "former" and "latter" are only to be used for referencing 2 objects. However, there is always a third object which comes before the former object. You say the former object came first per the definition of "latter" but that's obviously not true in all cases (conversations, interactions, etc). In some cases, the former object might want to reference it's antecedent if it indeed has one. If you've only had two prior interactions with a person, the former would indeed be the first. But if you've had three prior interactions, then there would be an object before the former, wouldn't there?

If now is t(0), then the latter is t(-1), the former is t(-2), and the word I'm looking for is t(-3). The bonus, of course, is t(-4).

Solution 1:

As you indicated, "former" and "latter" are understood as referring to 2 items. When you have more than 2 items, it will be less confusing to avoid using "former" and "latter".

If you have 3 or more items, the last one is simply the "last".* Before that are the "next to last" or "penultimate", etc. The first one would be the "first".

*Interesting note: Historically, "last" was the superlative of "latter" which in turn was the comparative of "late". This is similarly true for "former" and "foremost". Of course today they have taken on frozen meanings are aren't really seen as comparative degrees any more.