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Webster 1913 Edition


Emergent

E-mer′gent

,
Adj.
[L.
emergens
, p. pr. of
emergere
.]
1.
Rising or emerging out of a fluid or anything that covers or conceals; issuing; coming to light.
The mountains huge appear
emergent
.
Milton.
2.
Suddenly appearing; arising unexpectedly; calling for prompt action; urgent.
Protection granted in
emergent
danger.
Burke.
E-mer′gent-ly
,
adv.
E-mer′gent-ness
,
Noun.
[R.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Emergent

EMERG'ENT

,
Adj.
Rising out of a fluid or any thing that covers or surrounds.
The mountains huge appear emergent.
1.
Issuing or proceeding from.
2.
Rising out of a depressed state or from obscurity.
3.
Coming suddenly; sudden; casual; unexpected; hence,calling for immediate action or remedy; urgent; pressing; as an emergent occasion.

Definition 2024


emergent

emergent

See also: émergent

English

Adjective

emergent (comparative more emergent, superlative most emergent)

  1. Emerging; coming into view or into existence; nascent; new.
  2. (botany) Taller than the surrounding vegetation.
  3. (botany, of a water-dwelling plant) Having leaves and flowers above the water.
  4. (video games) Having gameplay that arises from its mechanics, rather than a linear storyline.
    • 2008, Jim Rossignol, This Gaming Life: Travels in Three Cities (page 126)
      In short, emergent games are ones that allow a huge range of possibilities and don't dictate a strict, linear flow of events. A strategy game is emergent because so many units can interact and have some effect on each other.
  5. Arising unexpectedly, especially if also calling for immediate reaction; constituting an emergency.

Derived terms

Noun

emergent (plural emergents)

  1. (botany) A plant whose root system grows underwater, but whose shoot, leaves and flowers grow up and above the water.

Latin

Verb

ēmergent

  1. third-person plural future active indicative of ēmergō