What does latent mean?

Definitions for latent
ˈleɪt ntla·tent

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word latent.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. latentadjective

    potentially existing but not presently evident or realized

    "a latent fingerprint"; "latent talent"

  2. latentadjective

    (pathology) not presently active

    "latent infection"; "latent diabetes"

GCIDE

  1. Latentadjective

    (Med.) Existing but not presenting symptoms; dormant or developing; -- of disease, especially infectious diseases; as, the latent phase of an infection.

Wiktionary

  1. latentadjective

    Existing or present but concealed or inactive.

  2. Etymology: From latens, present participle of lateo.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Latentadjective

    Hidden; concealed; secret.

    Etymology: latens, Latin.

    If we look into its retired movements, and more secret latent springs, we may there trace out a steady hand producing good out of evil. John Woodward, Natural History.

    Who drinks, alas! but to forget; nor sees,
    That melancholy sloth, severe disease,
    Mem’ry confus’d, and interrupted thought,
    Death’s harbingers lie latent in the draught. Matthew Prior.

    What were Wood’s visible costs I know not, and what were his latent is variously conjectured. Jonathan Swift.

ChatGPT

  1. latent

    Latent refers to something that is present or exists but is not active, visible, or has not yet developed or manifested. It often describes qualities, abilities, conditions, or states that have the potential to arise or become active under certain circumstances. This term is commonly used in various fields such as psychology, medicine, and physical sciences.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Latentadjective

    not visible or apparent; hidden; springs of action

  2. Etymology: [L. latens, -entis, p. pr. of latere to lie hid or concealed; cf. Gr. lanqa`nein, E. lethargy: cf. F. latent.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Latent

    lā′tent, adj. hid: concealed: not visible or apparent: dormant, undeveloped.—ns. Lā′tence, Lā′tency.—adv. Lā′tently.—Latent heat (see Heat); Latent life, a phrase describing the physiological condition of organisms in which the functions are for a time suspended without losing the power of future activity; Latent period of a disease, the time that elapses before symptoms show the presence of the disease. [L. latens, pr.p. of latēre, to lie hid; Gr. lanthanein, to be hidden.]

Matched Categories

Anagrams for latent »

  1. latten

  2. talent

  3. nattle

  4. tantle

How to pronounce latent?

How to say latent in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of latent in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of latent in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of latent in a Sentence

  1. Northrop Frye:

    Just as a new scientific discovery manifests something that was already latent in the order of nature, and at the same time is logically related to the total structure of the existing science, so the new poem manifests something that was already latent in the order of words.

  2. John R. Miller:

    If you will call your troubles experiences, and remember that every experience develops some latent force within you, you will grow vigorous and happy, however adverse your circumstances may seem to be.

  3. Ryan Pack:

    I Ryan Pack may have regrets for the dreams and goals I was unable to achieve but I'm very happy for the things I was able and allowed to obtain. My heart will not be at peace until all of my latent potential is fulfilled and all of my duties and responsibilities are met. Therefore I will continue to strive, and thrive, until no longer possible, until no longer necessary.

  4. Joan Baez:

    During the 'ballad' years for me, the politics was latent; I was just falling in love with the ballads and my boyfriend. And there was the beauty of the songs.

  5. Angela Civitella:

    It's just latent or hidden anger issues that people have, it's usually expressions that are masked. They can't come out about what they are angry about.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

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Translations for latent

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"latent." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 24 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/latent>.

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