from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Emergent \E*mer"gent\, a. [L. emergens, p. pr. of emergere.]
1. Rising or emerging out of a fluid or anything that covers
or conceals; issuing; coming to light.
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The mountains huge appear emergent. --Milton.
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2. Suddenly appearing; arising unexpectedly; calling for
prompt action; urgent.
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Protection granted in emergent danger. --Burke.
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{Emergent year} (Chron.), the epoch or date from which any
people begin to compute their time or dates; as, the
emergent year of Christendom is that of the birth of
Christ; the emergent year of the United States is that of
the declaration of their independence. -- {E*mer"gent*ly},
adv. -- {E*mer"gent*ness}, n. [R.]
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