latent
[ leyt-nt ]
/ ˈleɪt nt /
||
adjective
present but not visible, apparent, or actualized; existing as potential: latent ability.
Pathology. (of an infectious agent or disease) remaining in an inactive or hidden phase; dormant.
Psychology. existing in unconscious or dormant form but potentially able to achieve expression: a latent emotion.
Botany. (of buds that are not externally manifest) dormant or undeveloped.
Nearby words
- lately,
- laten,
- latency,
- latency period,
- latensify,
- latent allergy,
- latent ambiguity,
- latent content,
- latent diabetes,
- latent function
Origin of latent
SYNONYMS FOR latent
1. dormant, quiescent, veiled, 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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for latently
But a more serious consequence is latently contained in it, and nothing else than the Nestorian heresy, viz.
An Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine|John Henry Cardinal NewmanThe deeper sort, however, usually felt it latently English enough.
The Tragic Muse|Henry JamesThis one's mind, he could now see, was immature but latently capable.
Man of Many Minds|E. Everett Evans
latent
/ (ˈleɪtənt) /
adjective
potential but not obvious or explicit
(of buds, spores, etc) dormant
pathol (esp of an infectious disease) not yet revealed or manifest
(of a virus) inactive in the host cell, its nucleic acid being integrated into, and replicated with, the host cell's DNA
psychoanal relating to that part of a dream expressive of repressed desireslatent content Compare manifest (def. 2)
Word Origin for latent
C17: from Latin latēnt-, from latens present participle of latēre to lie hidden
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
latent
mid-15c., "concealed, secret," from Latin latentem (nominative latens) "lying hid, secret, unknown," present participle of latere "to lie hidden," from PIE *laidh-, from root *la- "to be hidden" (cf. Greek lethe "forgetfulness, oblivion," Old Church Slavonic lajati "to lie in wait for"). Meaning "dormant" is from 1680s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
latent
[ lāt′nt ]
adj.
Present or potential but not evident or active.
In a dormant or hidden stage, as an infection.
Undeveloped but capable of normal growth under the proper conditions.
Present in the unconscious mind but not consciously expressed.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.