An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics
English-French-Persian

Present but not visible, apparent, or actualized; existing as potential (Dictionary.com). → latent heat.

From L. latentem (nominative latens), pr.p. of latere "to lie hidden."

Nahân "concealed, hid; clandestine;" Mid.Pers. nihân "secrecy, a secret place, a hiding place," nihânik "concealed;" Av. niδāti- "deposing, deposit."

The amount of → thermal energy that is absorbed or released by a unit amount of a substance in the process of a phase change under conditions of constant pressure and temperature.

→ latent; → heat.