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.
This term can be related to "apparent" or "bulk" or "lumped".