(of a quality or state) existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden, concealed (性质,状态)潜在的,隐藏的 discovering her latent talent for diplomacy. 发现她潜在的外交才能。 ■(Biology)(of a bud, resting stage, etc.) lying dormant or hidden until circumstances are suitable for development or manifestation (生)(芽、静止期等)休眠的,潜伏的 ■(of a disease) in which the usual symptoms are not yet manifest (疾病)潜伏的 ■(of a micro-organism, especially a virus) present in the body without causing disease, but capable of doing so at a later stage, or when transmitted to another body (微生物,尤指病毒)蛰伏的,潜伏的
派生 latency noun latently adverb 语源
late Middle English: from Latin latent- 'being hidden', from the verb latere