First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1latent
adjective la·tent \ˈlā-tənt\
—used to describe something (such as a disease) that exists but is not active or cannot be seen
Full Definition of LATENT
: present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic <a latent infection>
— la·tent·ly adverb
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Examples of LATENT
- 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
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Origin of LATENT
Middle English, from Latin latent-, latens, from present participle of latēre to lie hidden; akin to Greek lanthanein to escape notice
Related to LATENT
Synonym Discussion of LATENT
latent, dormant, quiescent, potential mean not now showing signs of activity or existence. latent applies to a power or quality that has not yet come forth but may emerge and develop <a latent desire for success>. dormant suggests the inactivity of something (as a feeling or power) as though sleeping <their passion had lain dormant>. quiescent suggests a usually temporary cessation of activity <the disease was quiescent>. potential applies to what does not yet have existence or effect but is likely soon to have <a potential disaster>.
Other Psychology Terms
2latent
noun la·tent \ˈlā-tənt\
Definition of LATENT
: a fingerprint (as at the scene of a crime) that is scarcely visible but can be developed for study —called also latent fingerprint, latent print
Origin of LATENT
(see 1latent)
First Known Use: 1923
LATENT Defined for Kids
latent
adjective la·tent \ˈlā-tənt\
Definition of LATENT for Kids
: present but not visible or active <a latent infection>
Medical Dictionary
latent
adjective la·tent \ˈlāt-ənt\
Medical Definition of LATENT
: 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
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