ETYM Latin latens, -entis, p. pr. of latere to lie hid or concealed; cf. Greek lanthanein, Eng. lethargy: cf. French latent.
1. Not presently active.
2. Potentially existing but not presently evident or realized.
3. Lying concealed or dormant.

A fingerprint (as at the scene of a crime) that is scarcely visible but can be developed for study — called also latent fingerprint, latent print.