• Glossary and Definitions
• emergent

Emergent

Dictionary Definition

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>

from Merriam-Webster Online http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emergent

Committee Definition

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Domain Specific Usage

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Notes

This is a very controversial term, and its use can be viewed pejoratively in the quantitative sciences if not explicitly defined at time of use. Notably, "emergent" should generally not be used as a substitute for "we don't know or can't tell at the moment." Use of this term is usually associated with discussions of multiscale representation of systems.