emergency English · revision 3888

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1631|origins=la ēmergō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪˈmɜː.dʒən.si/, US /ɪˈmɝː.dʒən.si/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-med|ēmergentia]],^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[la|ēmergēns]], present participle of [[m|la|ēmergere|t=to rise out or up; to bring to light]],^(Etymonline)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|ē-|t=out]] and [[m|la|mergere|t=to dip, sink]];^(Etymonline) or it is formed in English from [[emerge]] and [[-ency]].^(Etymonline) It is related to [[emergence]] and [[merge]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An unforeseen occurrence needing immediate action, the ordinary modern sense: before 1631 in the OED,^(OED 1989) the 1630s in Etymonline and about 1631 in Merriam-Webster.^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The word was interchangeable with [[emergence]] into the 19th century:^(Etymonline) the rising of a submerged body above the water is from 1646,^(OED 1989) and the sudden arising of an event from 1665.^(OED 1989) Johnson objected in 1755 to its use for “urgency, pressing need”, found from 1716.^(OED 1989) In reference to a national crisis it is from 1860, of the looming American Civil War, when militia called up for short terms were ''emergency men''.^(Etymonline) In cricket an emergency man was a substitute, from 1851.^(OED 1989) The adjective, “for use in emergencies”, is from 1881.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1631 – an urgent occurrence.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1646 – the rising of a submerged body.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1716 – urgency.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1851 – a substitute in cricket.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1860 – a national crisis.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1881 – adjective.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A serious, unexpected situation that demands immediate action.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A condition of urgent need for help: ''a state of emergency''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''(chiefly North American)'' A hospital department treating urgent cases.^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # For use in an emergency: ''an emergency exit''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonemergency]]

+ * [[postemergency]]

+ * [[emergency brake]]

+ * [[Emergency Medical Technician]]

+ * [[emergency medicine]]

+ * [[emergency room]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[emerge]]

+ * [[emergence]]

+ * [[emergent]]

+ * [[merge]]

+ * [[submerge]]

+ * [[immerse]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}