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Latent vs Intermittent - What's the difference?

latent | intermittent |

As adjectives the difference between latent and intermittent

is that latent is existing or present but concealed or inactive while intermittent is stopping and starting at intervals; coming after a particular time span; not steady or constant.

As a noun intermittent is

(medicine|dated) an intermittent fever or disease.

latent

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Existing or present but concealed or inactive.
  • * 2008 July 2, Joe Palca, “Scientists Make Herpes Breakthrough”, abstract, All Things Considered , National Public Radio
  • Those infected with a herpes virus are infected for life. That’s because the virus goes "latent ." Sometimes, it awakes from its slumber, producing painful illnesses.

    Synonyms

    *(concealed) hidden, invisible *(inactive) dormant

    Antonyms

    *(concealed) apparent, patent, visible

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    intermittent

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Stopping and starting at intervals; coming after a particular time span; not steady or constant
  • The day was cloudy with intermittent rain.
    Intermittent bugs are most difficult to reproduce.
  • (specifically, geology, of a body of water) Existing only for certain seasons; that is, being dry for part of the year.
  • The area has many intermittent lakes and streams.

    Derived terms

    * intermittently

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (medicine, dated) An intermittent fever or disease.
  • (Dunglison)
    ----