[emer.gent] adj [ME, fr. L emergent-, emergens, prp. of emergere] (1593) 1 a: arising unexpectedly b: calling for prompt action: urgent
2: rising out of or as if out of a fluid
3: arising as a natural or logical consequence
4: newly formed or prominent
[2]emergent n (1620) 1: something emergent
2. a: a tree that rises above the surrounding forest b: a plant rooted in shallow water and having most of the vegetative growth above water