Not manifest, dormant, but potentially discernible. [L. lateo, pres. p. latens (-ent-), to lie hidden]
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a) present or capable of living or developing in a host without producing visible symptoms of disease <a \latent virus> <a \latent infection>
b) not consciously expressed <\latent anxiety>
c) relating to or being the latent content of a dream or thought
la·tent·ly adv
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la·tent (laґtənt) [L. latens hidden] concealed; not manifest; potential; dormant; quiescent.Medical dictionary. 2011.