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Agency vs Emergency - What's the difference?

agency | emergency |

As nouns the difference between agency and emergency

is that agency is the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; action or activity; operation while emergency is a situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.

agency

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(agencies)
  • The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power; action or activity; operation.
  • The superintendence and agency of Providence in the natural world. --Woodward.
  • A person or thing through which power is exerted or an end is achieved: instrumentality, means.
  • The office or function of an agent; also, the relationship between a principal and that person's agent.
  • An establishment engaged in doing business for another; also, the place of business or the district of such an agency.
  • A department or other administrative unit of a government; also, the office or headquarters of, or the district administered by such unit of government.
  • Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
    Central Intelligence Agency

    Synonyms

    * action * operation * efficiency * instrumentality * management

    Derived terms

    {{der3, dating agency , employment agency , escort agency , introduction agency , news agency , press agency , relief agency , syndication agency , travel agency}}

    emergency

    English

    Noun

    (emergencies)
  • A situation which poses an immediate risk and which requires urgent attention.
  • :Cardiac arrest is an emergency and if you find someone in cardiac arrest you should call 999 immediately.
  • (US, Canada, often attributive) The department of a hospital that treats emergencies.
  • An individual 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.
  • (archaic) The quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.
  • Synonyms

    * (hospital department) ER, casualty, emerg

    Derived terms

    * emergency department * emergency entrance * emergency exit * emergency room * emergency ward * emergency medical services * state of emergency * emergency response * Emergency Medical Technician * The Emergency

    See also

    * fire department * police