latentlyadv.
/ˈleɪt(ə)ntli/, U.S. /ˈleɪtn(t)li/ In a latent manner; so as to be hidden or invisible.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > [adverb]
latently1568
underground1632
uninstructively1816
under or in wraps1939
1568 A. Scott Poems (1896) xxvi. 40 [Women] wald with nobill men be nemmit, Syne laittandly to lawar leindis.
1631 ‘A. B.’ tr. L. Lessius Rawleigh his Ghost i. ix. 118 Who would not affirme that a certain Vnderstanding..were inuisibly and latently in the said things?
1684 T. Burnet Theory of Earth ii. 285 Neither can we..judge..of what things the memory may be still latently conserv'd.
1798 Monthly Mirror Sept. 147 In its then latently existing, and now fatally developed causes, he saw and opposed the system.
1837 W. Whewell Hist. Inductive Sci. I. iv. v. 343 The lateral support..was supplied latently.
1870 J. S. Mill in Fortn. Rev. July 123 Truths latently included in the ideas which are the subject of them, to be proved by evolving them out of the ideas.
1909 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 6 Feb. 341/1 It was possible for owners to detect disease before it was evidenced by any symptoms; they could then sell the latently-infected horse.
1971 Language 47 417 It seems to be present, at least latently, in the ‘intention movements’ exhibited..by herring gulls.
2005 Uncut June 134/3 There is no way, unless you are latently psychopathic, that you could bum out to that album.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1568