Definitions for: Latent

[adj] not presently active; "latent infection"; "latent diabetes"
[adj] potentially existing but not presently evident or realized; "a latent fingerprint"; "latent talent"

Webster (1913) Definition: La"tent, a. [L. latens, -entis, p. pr. of latere to lie
hid or concealed; cf. Gr. ?, E. lethargy: cf. F. latent.]
Not visible or apparent; hidden; springs of action.

The evils latent in the most promising contrivances are
provided for as they arise. --Burke.

Latent buds (bot.), buds which remain undeveloped or
dormant for a long time, but may at length grow.

Latent heat (Physics), that quantity of heat which
disappears or becomes concealed in a body while producing
some change in it other than rise of temperature, as
fusion, evaporation, or expansion, the quantity being
constant for each particular body and for each species of
change.

Latent period.
(a) (Med.) The regular time in which a disease is supposed to
be existing without manifesting itself.
(b) (Physiol.) One of the phases in a simple muscular
contraction, in which invisible preparatory changes are
taking place in the nerve and muscle.
(c) (Biol.) One of those periods or resting stages in the
development of the ovum, in which development is arrested
prior to renewed activity.

Synonyms: inactive, possible, potential

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