latent

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Etymology

From Middle English latent, latente, from Old French latent, from Latin latēns, present participle of lateō ("lie hidden").

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈleɪ.tənt/

Adjective

latent (not comparable)

1. Existing or present but concealed or inactive.

   Synonyms: hidden, invisible

   Antonyms: apparent, patent, visible, active

2. (pathology, of a virus) Remaining in an inactive or hidden phase; dormant.

   Synonyms: dormant, Thesaurus:inactive

   Antonyms: active

   • 2008 July 2, Joe Palca, “Scientists Make Herpes Breakthrough”, abstract, All Things Considered, National Public Radio

     Those infected with a herpes virus are infected for life. That’s because the virus goes "latent." Sometimes, it awakes from its slumber, producing painful illnesses.

3. (biology) Lying dormant or hidden until circumstances are suitable for development or manifestation.

Translations

• French: latent
• German: latent
• Italian: latente
• Portuguese: latente
• Russian: скры́тый
• Spanish: latente

Noun

latent (plural latents)

1. (forensics) The residue left by a person's finger that can be made visible by a process such as powder dusting; a latent fingerprint.
2. (statistics) An underlying cause that can be inferred from statistical correlations; factor.
3. Anything that is latent.

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