I. i-ˈmər-jənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin emergent-, emergens, present participle of emergere
Date: 1593
1.
a. : arising unexpectedly
b. : calling for prompt action : urgent
emergent danger
2.
a. : rising out of or as if out of a fluid
emergent coastal islands
b. : rooted in shallow water and having most of its vegetative growth above water
an emergent plant
3. : arising as a natural or logical consequence
4. : newly formed or prominent
emergent nations
II. noun
Date: 1620
1. : something emergent
2.
a. : a tree that rises above the surrounding forest
b. : an emergent plant