Latent (adjective)
Pronunciation: ['leyt-nt]
Definition: In a hidden or dormant state, potential but not actual.
Usage: The antonym of today's word is "patent" ['peyt-nt], not to be confused with patent ['pæt-nt] "license of ownership." The noun is "latency." The latent-patent pair resembles the implicit-explicit pair. Implicit means "implied, not stated" while explicit means "clearly expressed." "If you touch my garlic bread you'll be sorry," is an implicit threat while "If you touch my garlic bread I'll pour this spaghetti on your head," is an explicit threat. The threat in either case may or may not be real. A latent talent, however, is a real but hidden potential, while a patent talent is real talent that is clearly detectable.
Suggested Usage: Today's word is used to express hidden facets of personalities, "Look how creatively Mikey has pushed his vegetables around his plate; this child has a latent artistic talent." This word is also useful outside the home: in the financial world, "If Clifford invested $1,000 in Malodoras Cosmetics, he is either a patent fool or a latent financial genius," in music, "The way he plays the piano suggests there may be a latent prize-fighter lurking inside Baldwin," to mention only two.
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