dormant

/ˈdȯr-mənt/

Middle English, fixed, stationary, from Anglo-French, from present participle of dormir to sleep, from Latin dormire; akin to Sanskrit drāti he sleeps

adjective

  1. represented on a coat of arms in a lying position with the head on the forepaws

  2. marked by a suspension of activity: such as

  3. temporarily devoid of external activity

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. dormant suggests the inactivity of something (such as a feeling or power) as though sleeping.