v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Emerged p. pr. & vb. n. Emerging ] [ L. emergere, emersum; e out + mergere to dip, plunge. See Merge. ] To rise out of a fluid; to come forth from that in which anything has been plunged, enveloped, or concealed; to issue and appear; as, to emerge from the water or the ocean; the sun emerges from behind the moon in an eclipse; to emerge from poverty or obscurity. “Thetis . . . emerging from the deep.” Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

Those who have emerged from very low, some from the lowest, classes of society. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Emergences The act of rising out of a fluid, or coming forth from envelopment or concealment, or of rising into view; sudden uprisal or appearance. [ 1913 Webster ]

The white color of all refracted light, at its very first emergence . . . is compounded of various colors. Sir I. Newton. [ 1913 Webster ]

When from the deep thy bright emergence sprung. H. Brooke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Emergencies [ See Emergence. ] 1. Sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence; a sudden occasion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Most our rarities have been found out by casual emergency. Glanvill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An unforeseen occurrence or combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action or remedy; pressing necessity; exigency. [ 1913 Webster ]

To whom she might her doubts propose,
On all emergencies that rose. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

A safe counselor in most difficult emergencies. Brougham.

Syn. -- Crisis; conjuncture; exigency; pinch; strait; necessity. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The mountains huge appear emergent. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Suddenly appearing; arising unexpectedly; calling for prompt action; urgent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Protection granted in emergent danger. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. ] [ 1913 Webster ]