latent (ˈleɪtəntnt
)
Definitions
adjective
- potential but not obvious or explicit
- (of buds, spores, etc) dormant
- pathology (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
- psychoanalysis relating to that part of a dream expressive of repressed desires ⇒
latent content
Compare manifest (sense 2)
Alternative Forms
ˈlatency noun ˈlatently adverbWord Origin
C17: from Latin latēnt-, from latens present participle of latēre to lie hiddenSynonyms
View thesaurus entry=
hidden,
secret,
concealed,
invisible,
lurking,
veiled,
inherent,
unseen,
dormant,
undeveloped,
quiescent,
immanent,
unrealized,
unexpressed,
Usage examples
The latent abilities were brought out, developed, and eventually the many-sided Soviet Man began to appear.
, Kara Kush (1986)Infection with TB does not necessarily cause illness, it can remain in a latent form.
New Scientist (2004)The varicella virus doesn't leave one's system, but rests in a latent state in nerve cells.
canada.com (2004)Would tramping on his toes indicate latent hostility to men?
Glasgow Herald (2002)The energy needed to cause melting without change of temperature is called latent heat.
, Science Basic Facts (1989)