latency

la·ten·cy

noun \ˈlā-t^ən(t)-sē\

plural la·ten·cies

Definition of LATENCY

1

: the quality or state of being latent : dormancy

2

: something latent

3

: a stage of psychosexual development following the phallic stage that extends from about the age of five or six to the beginning of puberty and during which sexual urges often appear to lie dormant

4

: latent period 2

Examples of LATENCY

1. <the flower bulbs went from latency to full bloom in a matter of days>

First Known Use of LATENCY

circa 1638

Related to LATENCY

Synonyms: cold storage, deep freeze, doldrums, dormancy, holding pattern, abeyance, moratorium, quiescence, suspended animation, suspense, suspension

Antonyms: continuance, continuation

Related Words: inaction, inertia, inertness, motionlessness; impasse, standstill; coma, hibernation, hypnosis, repose, rest, sleep, slumber, torpor; recess, recession, remission; downtime, idleness, layoff

Near Antonyms: recommencement, renewal, resumption, resuscitation

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Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal