Latentní

Latentní refers to something that exists but is not yet developed or manifest. It implies a potential or hidden quality that has the capacity to become active or apparent under certain conditions. This term is often used in various fields, including psychology, science, and technology, to describe states or characteristics that are not immediately observable.

In psychology, latent traits or dispositions are those that are present but not yet expressed in observable behavior. For example, a latent talent for music might exist in a child, but it requires exposure to music education and practice to become manifest. Similarly, latent mental disorders are those that are present in an individual's mind but have not yet surfaced as diagnosable symptoms.

In scientific contexts, latent heat is the energy absorbed or released during a phase transition, such as melting or boiling, without a change in temperature. This energy is "latent" because it is hidden within the substance and not reflected in its temperature reading. In computing, latent variables are theoretical constructs that are not directly measured but are inferred from other observable variables. These variables are used in statistical models to explain relationships between observed data. The concept of latentní underscores the idea of hidden potential and the processes through which this potential can be realized.