latent

Intermediatezipf 3.27

Pronunciation

/ˈleɪtənt/(LAY-tunt)

Part of speech

adjectiveformal

Chinese

潜在的；隐藏的；潜伏的（存在但尚未显现）

Definition

Existing but not yet developed, visible, or active; hidden.

Word family

  • latency/ˈleɪtənsi/(n)潜伏期/延迟

Collocations

  • latent talent
  • latent virus
  • latent potential
  • latent hostility

Examples

  1. 1.She discovered her latent talent for painting at age 40. (hidden until now)
  2. 2.The virus can remain latent in the body for years. (dormant)
  3. 3.Network latency affects online gaming performance. (tech: delay)

Synonyms

  • dormant/ˈdɔːmənt/— inactive, sleeping
  • hidden/ˈhɪdn/— concealed
  • potential/pəˈtɛnʃəl/— capable of becoming

Etymology

from Latin "latere" = to lie hidden — hiding beneath the surface, waiting