emergent

C2 · Proficiency Science Technical · Academic

adj. describing a quality that a whole group has, which the individual parts do not have on their own.

adj. relating to properties of a system that arise from the interaction of its parts but are not present in the parts themselves.

“The way a flock of birds moves together is an emergent behaviour.”

“Consciousness is often described by neuroscientists as an emergent property of the brain's complex neural networks.”

C2 · Proficiency Science Technical

adj. describing plants that grow taller than the trees around them or above the surface of the water.

adj. rising above the surrounding vegetation or the surface of a body of water.

“The emergent trees in the rainforest can reach heights of sixty metres.”

“We studied emergent aquatic plants that provide essential nesting sites for local bird species.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a plant that has its roots under the water but its leaves and flowers above the water.

n. a plant whose root system is typically submerged while its upper parts extend above the water's surface.

“The pond was filled with lilies and other emergents.”

“The restoration project focused on reintroducing native emergents to stabilize the riverbank and improve water quality.”