latent

/ˈlā-tᵊnt/

Middle English, from Latin latent-, latens, from present participle of latēre to lie hidden; akin to Greek lanthanein to escape notice

adjective

  1. present and capable of emerging or developing but not now visible, obvious, active, or symptomatic

a latent infection

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.

noun

  1. 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

noun

  1. heat given off or absorbed in a process (such as fusion or vaporization) other than a change of temperature