Conjunction used to present another possibility, often in a somewhat literary or emphatic style. Similar to それとも or あるいは, but with a slightly more formal or rhetorical feel.
彼は天才か、はたまた努力の人か。
Is he a genius, or a hard worker?
この現象は自然のものか、はたまた人為的なものか。
Is this phenomenon natural, or man-made?
Kana spelling is standard; the kanji form 将又 is rarely used.
Rarely used kanji form; learners should use the kana spelling.
Formed from the older adverb はた “also; or again” and また “again; also,” with the combined form developing the alternative sense “or else.”