Definition of latent
: present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic a latent infection
latently
adverbPeople Are Reading
Examples of latent in a Sentence
On the ground in Afghanistan there is some latent, if wary, gratitude for American aid over the years, but no one expects to build a foundation for the Taliban's downfall on a couple of million rice cakes. —Michael Duffy, Time, 15 Oct. 2001
There were such inexhaustible possibilities still before her, such opportunities to bring out the latent graces of the old place, without a single irreverent touch of alteration, that the winter months were all too short to plan what spring and autumn executed. —Edith Wharton, Afterward, 1910
Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had ever wreaked upon an enemy. —Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Scarlet Letter, 1850
he has a latent talent for acting that he hasn't had a chance to express yet
Origin and Etymology of latent
Middle English, from Latin latent-, latens, from present participle of latēre to lie hidden; akin to Greek lanthanein to escape notice
First Known Use: 15th century
Synonym Discussion of latent
Other Psychology Terms
Origin and Etymology of latent
see 1latent
First Known Use: 1920
LATENT Defined for English Language Learners
latent
playDefinition of latent for English Language Learners
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—used to describe something (such as a disease) that exists but is not active or cannot be seen
LATENT Defined for Kids
latent
playDefinition of latent for Students
: present but not visible or active a latent infection
Medical Dictionary
latent
playMedical Definition of latent
: existing in hidden or dormant form: asa: present or capable of living or developing in a host without producing visible symptoms of disease a latent virus a latent infectionb: not consciously expressed latent anxietyc: relating to or being the latent content of a dream or thought
latently
adverbLaw Dictionary
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