la ‧ tent /ˈleɪt ə nt/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: present participle of latere 'to lie hidden' ]
something that is latent is present but hidden, and may develop or become more noticeable in the future ⇨ dormant
latent in
The virus remains latent in the body for many years.
latent aggression
—latency noun [uncountable]