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Not visible or apparent; hidden; springs of action. The evils latent in the most promising contrivances are provided for as they arise. Burke. Latent buds (bot.), buds which remain undeveloped or dormant for a long time, but may at length grow. Latent heat (Physics), that quantity of heat which disappears or becomes co…

In a secret or concealed manner; invisibly.

as, ambidexterity of argumentation. Sterne. Ignorant I was of the human frame, and of its latent powers, as regarded speed, force, and ambidexterity. De Quincey.

sation. In the sixth satire, which seems only an Arraignment of the whole sex, there is a latent admonition. Dryden.

the action of iodine, or iodine and bromine, on which, after exposure in the camera, the latent image is developed by the vapor of mercury.

To cause to become visible, as an invisible or latent image upon plate, by submitting it to chemical agents; to bring to view. To develop a curved surface on a place (Geom.), to produce on the plane an equivalent surface, as if by rolling the curved surface so that all parts shall successively touch the plane.…

A reagent by the action of which the latent image upon a photographic plate, after exposure in the camera, or otherwise, is developed and visible.

An endemic disease. Fear, which is an endemic latent in every human heart, sometimes rises into an epidemic. J. B. Heard.

Moving or causing motion; motory; active, as opposed to latent. Kinetic energy. See Energy, n. 4.

The state or quality of being latent. To simplify the discussion, I shall distinguish three degrees of this latency. Sir W. Hamilton.

Lying hid; concealed; latent. [R.]

to percolate, as a liquid through the pores of a substance or through small openings. The latent rill, scare oozing through the grass. Thomson.

ossible; the power of happening, being, or existing. "All possibility of error." Hooker. "Latent possibilities of excellence." Johnson.

To render the latent power of (anything) available. Dunglison.

Ability to act, regarded as latent or inherent; the faculty of doing or performing something; capacity for action or performance; capability of producing an effect, whether physical or moral: potency; might; as, a man of great power; the power of capillary attraction; money gives power. "One next himself in power, and…

A latent, not an exhausted, state of the vital energies; great oppression of natural strength and vigor.

Anger; latent spite; ill humor; malice; as, to vent one's spleen. In noble minds some dregs remain, Not yet purged off, of spleen and sour disdain. Pope.