latent

[ leyt-nt ]

adjective

1. present but not visible, apparent, or activated; existing as potential:

   latent ability.

   Synonyms: veiled, quiescent, dormant

   Antonyms: active, open

2. Pathology. (of an infectious agent or disease) in a phase of being hidden or unrecognized; not yet exhibiting symptoms. Compare dormant ( def 4 ).
3. Psychology. existing in unconscious or dormant form but potentially able to achieve expression:

   latent learning,

   a latent emotion.

4. Botany. (of buds that are not externally manifest) dormant or undeveloped.

latent

/ ˈleɪtənt /

adjective

1. potential but not obvious or explicit
2. (of buds, spores, etc) dormant
3. pathol (esp of an infectious disease) not yet revealed or manifest
4. (of a virus) inactive in the host cell, its nucleic acid being integrated into, and replicated with, the host cell's DNA
5. See manifest
   psychoanal relating to that part of a dream expressive of repressed desires Compare manifest

   latent content

Derived Forms

• ˈlatently, adverb
• ˈlatency, noun

Other Words From

• la·tent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of latent¹

First recorded before 1610–20; from Latin latent- (stem of latēns ), present participle of latēre “to lie hidden”; -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of latent¹

C17: from Latin latēnt-, from latens present participle of latēre to lie hidden

Synonym Study

Latent, potential refer to powers or possibilities existing but hidden or not yet actualized. Latent emphasizes the hidden character or the dormancy of what is named: latent qualities, defects, diseases. That which is potential exists in an as yet undeveloped state, but is thought of as capable of coming into full being or activity at some future time: potential genius, tragedy. Potential may be applied also to tangibles: High-tension wires are a potential source of danger.

Example Sentences

But a recent trend is capitalizing on our latent desires to actually become the famous people we love and love to hate.

From The Daily Beast

So it carbonates all of these, I'd say latent desires, to have more meaning in his life.

From The Daily Beast

Many pent-up resentments and latent frustrations are boiling inside the Negro, and he must release them.

From The Daily Beast

It was more science faction, a monument to human potential—including the latent potential for self-destruction.

From The Daily Beast

But the "Zoabiz" was a small reminder that latent chauvinism is alive and well.

From The Daily Beast

Now listen to me, said the dying woman, aloud, as if making a great effort to revive one latent spark of energy.

From Project Gutenberg

That high-pressure engines owed their advantages mainly to a reduction of the relative importance of this latent heat.

From Project Gutenberg

In descending it is recondensed, and by the process by which its atoms are brought together its latent heat is made sensible.

From Project Gutenberg

Again she felt that everlasting calm, arguing such latent forces, was the thing she hated most in him.

From Project Gutenberg

But it possessed a latent purchasing power such as probably no other Government in history ever had.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• inherent
• lurking
• smoldering
• suppressed
• underlying
• unrealized
• veiled