verb (used without object), e·merged, e·merg·ing.
- to come forth into view or notice, as from concealment or obscurity: a ghost emerging from the grave; a ship emerging from the fog.
- to rise or come forth from or as if from water or other liquid.
- to come up or arise, as a question or difficulty.
- to come into existence; develop.
- to rise, as from an inferior or unfortunate state or condition.
verb (intr often foll by from)
- to come up to the surface of or rise from water or other liquid
- to come into view, as from concealment or obscurityhe emerged from the cave
- (foll by from) to come out (of) or live (through a difficult experience)he emerged from his ordeal with dignity
- to become apparentseveral interesting things emerged from the report
1560s, from Middle French émerger, from Latin emergere “rise out or up, bring forth, bring to light,” from ex- “out” (see ex-) + mergere “to dip, sink” (see merge). The notion is of rising from a liquid by virtue of buoyancy. Related: Emerged; emerging.