emergency
UK: ɪˈmɜːdʒənsi | US: ɪˈmɜːrdʒənsi
n. a sudden, serious, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action
n. (medical) a condition requiring urgent treatment
n. (as modifier) relating to or used in an emergency (e.g., emergency exit)
The word traces back to Latin emergere, which literally meant "to rise out of a liquid" (e.g., a ship emerging from water). Over time, it evolved metaphorically to describe unexpected situations "rising up" and demanding attention. The suffix -ency formalizes the concept into a noun, emphasizing the state of crisis. The logic mirrors physical emergence—sudden visibility or urgency, like an unforeseen problem surfacing.
The hospital has a special ward for emergency cases.
In an emergency, dial 911 immediately.
She kept a flashlight in her car for emergencies.
The pilot declared an emergency due to engine failure.
Emergency supplies were distributed after the earthquake.