I.v. inch. n. [latesco], to hide away, conceal one's self; to lie hid, to lurk (class.).
I. Lit.: “bestiae in cubilibus delitescunt,” Cic. N. D. 2, 49 fin.; cf.: hostes noctu in silvis delituerant, * Caes. B. G. 4, 32, 4: “caelum,” Stat. Silv. 3, 1, 71: “in ulva,” Verg. A. 2, 136: “sub praesepibus vipera,” Verg. G. 3, 417: “silvā,” Ov. M. 4, 340; cf.: “privato loco,” id. Tr. 3, 1, 80: “sinu ancillae,” id. Am. 3, 1, 56 al.: “ut eo mitteret amicos, qui delitescerent, deinde repente prosilirent,” Cic. Cael. 25 fin.—Absol.: “delituit mala,” Plaut. Rud. 2, 5, 9.—
B. Transf., of things: “stella cursum conflcit, vespertinis temporibus delitescendo,” Cic. N. D. 2, 20, 52.—Of a letter: “ancillae sinu,” Ov. Am. 3, 1, 56.—
II. Trop., to skulk behind, shelter one's self under: “in alicujus auctoritate delitesceret,” Cic. Ac. 2, 5, 15; so, “in ista calumnia,” id. Caecin. 21 fin.; cf. ib. 23 fin.: “in dolo malo, id. Tull. § 33: umbrā magni nominis,” Quint. 12, 10, 15; id. 10, 5, 10 Zumpt N. cr.
