/ ˈleɪtnt; NAmE / adjective
[ usually before noun ] existing, but not yet very noticeable, active or well developed :
latent disease
These children have a huge reserve of latent talent.
► la·tency / ˈleɪtənsi; NAmE / noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin latent- being hidden, from the verb latere .