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latitare

to be absent

verb lah-tee-TAH-reh Rare
People & Society Law

Origin: Latin latitare, frequentative of latere (to hide)

Also means

to go into hiding

Usage Note

Latitare originally meant 'to be a fugitive' (il latitante is the noun for 'fugitive'), but in modern usage it is frequently used figuratively to mean 'to be conspicuously absent' or 'to shirk one's duties': Il governo latita ('The government is nowhere to be found'). It takes avere as auxiliary. Formal and slightly ironic register.

Examples

"Il responsabile latita da settimane."

Natural Translation

The person in charge has been absent for weeks.

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