latent period

noun
1.
Also, latency period. 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.
Also called latency.
Origin
1830-40
Examples from the web for latent period
  • The terms early and late refer to the length of the latent period after the exposure.
British Dictionary definitions for latent period

latent period

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

latent period n.

  1. The period elapsing between the application of a stimulus and the obvious response, such as the contraction of a muscle.

  2. The interval between exposure to an infectious organism or a carcinogen and the clinical appearance of disease. Also called incubation period.

latent period in Science
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.