1. plural of latent; things that are present but not visible, active, or developed; hidden or dormant qualities or conditions
Usage: often used in psychology, medicine, and technical contexts
2. in photography and forensics, fingerprints or images that are not immediately visible but can be revealed through chemical or physical treatment
Usage: technical; forensic and photographic contexts

Examples

• The study examined latents in the data that were not apparent in the initial analysis.
• Forensic investigators used special lighting to reveal latents at the crime scene.
• Psychological research often focuses on latents that influence behavior unconsciously.
• The latents in the photograph only became visible after chemical development.
• Many latents in the patient's medical history suggested a genetic predisposition.
• The regression model identified several latents that explained the variation in outcomes.