Definition of "emergent" in English

adjective

1. Emerging; coming into view or into existence; nascent; new.

2. Arising unexpectedly, especially if also calling for immediate reaction.

3. (especially medicine) Constituting an emergency.

4. (botany) Taller than the surrounding vegetation.

5. (botany, of a water-dwelling plant) Having leaves and flowers above the water.

6. (video games) Having gameplay that arises from its mechanics, rather than a linear storyline.

7. (philosophy, epistemology, sciences) That arises at a higher level than that of its components and is not explainable by the behaviour of said components taken individually; having properties as a whole that are more complex than the properties contributed by each of the components individually.

   • an emergent property

noun

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