Latent period Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the time that elapses between a stimulus and the response to it
    latency; reaction time; response time.
  2. noun the time that elapses before the presence of a disease is manifested by symptoms

WordNet

Definitions
  1. . (a) (Med.) The regular time in which a disease is supposed to be existing without manifesting itself . (b) (Physiol.) One of the phases in a simple muscular contraction, in which invisible preparatory changes are taking place in the nerve and muscle . (c) (Biol.) One of those periods or resting stages in the development of the ovum, in which development is arrested prior to renewed activity.

Webster 1913