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latency

Noun

This term describes a hidden or dormant state where a potential exists but remains inactive. In biological or psychological contexts, it refers to a period of invisibility or suspension before a sudden emergence or activation. In technical environments, it specifically denotes the time gap between a command and its execution. It is often used interchangeably with lag in casual conversation, though in professional engineering, it refers to the precise measurement of delay in milliseconds.

Meanings

Noun

The state of being latent, especially when referring to a quality or condition that exists but is not yet developed or manifest.

"The virus has a long period of latency before symptoms appear."

Noun

The delay between the initiation of a process and the first resulting action or response, particularly in computing and telecommunications.

"High latency in the network connection caused a noticeable lag during the video call."

Last Updated: June 14, 2026•Report an Error