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latent

latent

adjective lah-TAHN Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Origin: Latin latens (lying hidden), from latere (to lie hidden)

Also means

dormant

Usage Note

Latent agrees in gender: feminine latente. It describes something that exists but is not yet manifest — un conflit latent (a simmering conflict), une maladie latente (a latent illness). In psychology, contenu latent refers to the hidden meaning of a dream as opposed to contenu manifeste.

Examples

"Il y a une tension latente dans l'équipe."

Natural Translation

There is a latent tension in the team.

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