Main Entry: la·tent

Pronunciation: \ˈlāt-^ənt\

Function: adjective

: existing in hidden or dormant form: as a : present or capable of living or developing in a host without producing visible symptoms of disease <a latent virus> <a latent infection> b : not consciously expressed <latent anxiety> c : relating to or being the latent content of a dream or thought

—la·tent·ly adverb