emergency
noun
- situation such as a natural or man-made disaster requiring urgent assistance
- need for help: problem, diffuculty, poverty
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ɪˈmɜː(ɹ).dʒən.si/ / /ɪˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si/ / /iˈmɝ.d͡ʒən.si/
name
Etymology: Sense 2 referred to the conflict between the British and Malaysians against communist guerillas, because London-based insurers would not pay out in instances of civil wars.
- 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.”
- the Malayan Emergency as experienced in Malaysia.
noun
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.
- A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
“Cardiac arrest is an emergency requiring medical attention.”
“We also found that the only emergency egress from the tram was by smashing the front or rear windscreens, and that emergency lighting had failed when the tram overturned.”
- 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”
- 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.”
- The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.
- A critical urge to urinate or defecate.