delitescent

American  

[del-i-tes-uhnt] / ˌdɛl ɪˈtɛs ənt /

adjective

1. concealed; hidden; latent.

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Other Word Forms

• delitescence
  noun
• delitescency
  noun

Etymology

Origin of delitescent

1675–85; < Latin dēlitēscent- (stem of dēlitēscēns ), present participle of dēlitēscere to hide away < dē- de- + latēscēre, inceptive of latēre to hide; see latent ( def. )

Explanation

Something that is delitescent is hidden. A delitescent cabin may be tucked deep in the woods, or a delitescent talent may lie beneath the surface, unknown to others — or even to the person who has it. The word delitescent may be used in literary contexts to describe actual things that are physically hidden. It can also describe feelings or talents that exist beneath someone's outward persona and may not show up until a particular situation calls them forth. Your delitescent leadership qualities may be revealed only when the stage manager for the school play is sick on opening night and you have to step in and take charge. The term is also sometimes used in medicine, where it could describe an illness lurking beneath the surface but not yet symptomatic.

Example Sentences

Aubrey, the "delitescent" antiquarian and Will Wimble of his time, still credited witchcraft, as he credited all sorts of narratives of ghosts and apparitions.

From A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718 by Notestein, Wallace