emergency

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a sudden unforeseen crisis, usually involving danger that requires immediate action

   They never knew what to do in an emergency.

2. 2
   noun

   a state in which martial law applies

   the governor declared a state of emergency

3. 3
   noun

   A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.

   Cardiac arrest is an emergency requiring medical attention.

4. 4
   noun

   The department of a hospital that treats emergencies.

   I've got a really bad disease It's got me begging on my hands and knees So take me to emergency Cause something seems to be missing

5. 5
   noun

   A person brought in at short notice to replace a member of staff, a player in a sporting team, etc.

   November 2 2014, Daniel Taylor, "Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk Van Gaal responded by replacing Adnan Januzaj with Carrick and, in fairness, the emergency centre-half did exceedingly well given that he has not played since May.

6. 6
   name

   World War II as experienced in Ireland.

   Indeed, Northern Ireland held a substantial U.S. military presence for much of the war; American soldiers were by no means uncommon on the streets of some Irish towns and cities during the Emergency.

7. 7
   noun

   a brake operated by hand

8. 8
   noun

   The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin emergentia, from Latin emergens, present participle of emergo (“to emerge, arise, come forth”), equivalent to emergent + -cy or emerge + -ency. Doublet of emergence.