lateō

From Proto-Italic *latēō (“to be hidden”), from earlier *latējō, from Proto-Indo-European *l̥h₂t-éh₁ye-ti (“hidden”), from Proto-Indo-European *leh₂- (“to hide”).

Compare cognate Doric Greek λᾱ́θω (lā́thō, “to escape notice”), variant of Ancient Greek λανθάνω (lanthánō);´also compare Ionic Greek λάθρῃ (láthrēi, “secretly, by stealth; unbeknownst to”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈla.te.oː/, [ˈɫ̪ät̪eoː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈla.te.o/, [ˈläːt̪eo]

Verb

lateō (present infinitive latēre, perfect active latuī); second conjugation, no passive, no supine stem

1. to conceal, hide, lie hidden, lurk, skulk [ quotations ▼]

   Latet anguis in herbā. ― A snake hides in the grass.

   Sub nōmine pācis bellum latet. ― War lurks under the name of peace.

2. to keep out of sight
3. to be hidden and in safety
4. to live in concealment; to live retired
5. (intransitive, transitive) to escape notice, remain unknown [ quotations ▼]

   Bene quī latuit, bene vīxit. ― He who has well remained unknown has lived well.

6. to be obscure or unknown, lie hidden

   Id quā ratiōne cōnsecūtus sit latet. ― It is unknown how he obtained that.