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Latent vs Lingering - What's the difference?

latent | lingering |

As an adjective latent

is existing or present but concealed or inactive.

As a verb lingering is

.

As a noun lingering is

an act of lingering or waiting.

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.

    Related terms

    * latency

    Synonyms

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

    Antonyms

    *(concealed) apparent, patent, visible

    Anagrams

    * * ----

    lingering

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • An act of lingering or waiting.
  • * 2000 , David S. Reynolds, A Historical Guide to Walt Whitman (page 73)
    • But through this insistent rhythm and rhyme, there are only questions and parenthetical pauses, interruptions and lingerings .
  • That which lingers; a remnant.
  • * (Washington Irving)
    • The lingerings of decent pride were visible in her appearance. Her dress, though humble in the extreme, was scrupulously clean.