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Present or potential but not evident or active: latent talent.
(adjective)
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Pathology In a dormant or hidden stage: a latent infection.
(adjective)
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Biology Undeveloped but capable of normal growth under the proper conditions: a latent bud.
(adjective)
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Psychology Present and accessible in the unconscious mind but not consciously expressed.
(adjective)
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A fingerprint that is not apparent to the eye but can be made sufficiently visible, as by dusting or fuming, for use in identification.
(noun)
American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.