dē-lĭtesco, tŭi, 3, 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. S. 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 ( Luc. ), 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.