Latent Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary (original) (raw)

latent

/ˈleɪtn̩t/

adjective

latent

/ˈleɪtn̩t/

adjective

Britannica Dictionary definition of LATENT

[more latent; most latent]

— used to describe something (such as a disease) that exists but is not active or cannot be seen

• a latent infection
• The house they bought had latent defects.

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— latency

/ˈleɪtn̩si/

noun

[noncount]

• The disease was in a period of latency. [=the disease was present but had not produced any noticeable symptoms]
• the latency period of a disease

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