潜伏，潜藏
If something lies dormant, it is not active.
Her talent might have lain dormant had it not been for her aunt's encouragement. 如果不是姑姑鼓励她，她的才能可能现在还不会被挖掘出来。
It's given her the opportunity to at last use skills that have lain dormant for years.
It is thought that the condition is caused by a virus that lies dormant in the immune system until something triggers it.
The spores can lie dormant in the earth for months or even years.
These seeds can lie dormant in the ground until the conditions are right for germinating.
See also: dormant