latent period

noun

1. Also Pathology. the interval between exposure to a carcinogen, toxin, or disease-causing organism and development of a consequent disease.
2. Physiology. the interval between stimulus and reaction.

latent period

noun

1. the incubation period of an infectious disease, before symptoms appear
2. another name for latent time

latent period

1. The interval between exposure to an infectious organism or a carcinogen and the appearance of symptoms or signs of disease.
2. The period elapsing between the application of a stimulus and the expected response, such as the contraction of a muscle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of latent period¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Other types of cancer may in time be found to have a relatively short latent period, also, but at present leukemia seems to be the exception to the general rule of extremely slow development.

From Literature

What does direct observation of the child at the time of the selection of its object, before the latent period, show us concerning the Oedipus-complex?

From Project Gutenberg

Microbes differ from each other in terms of their latent period, the period of time between when an individual is exposed and when they become infectious or capable of transmitting the agent to others.

From Scientific American

We don’t typically go around discussing the latent period of carcinogenesis and the amazing advances made in understanding radiobiology.

From New York Times

The latent period for improving oesophageal, pancreatic, brain and lung cancer was about five years of aspirin taking on a daily basis.

From Economist