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Exigent vs Emergency - What's the difference?

exigent | emergency |

In archaic terms the difference between exigent and emergency

is that exigent is extremity; end; limit; pressing urgency while emergency is the quality of being emergent; sudden or unexpected appearance; an unforeseen occurrence.

As an adjective exigent

is urgent; needing immediate action.

exigent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Urgent; needing immediate action.
  • * 2003 , , U.S. Department of Defence
    • Article 2 also provides that acts of torture cannot be justified on the grounds of exigent circumstances, such as state of war or public emergency, or on orders from a superior officer or public authority.
  • Demanding; needing great effort.

    • Related terms

    * exigence * exigency * exigently

    Derived terms

    * allocatur exigent

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (archaic) Extremity; end; limit; pressing urgency
  • * 1591 ,
    • These eyes, like lamps whose wasting oil is spent, \ Wax dim, as drawing to their exigent ;
  • * 1611 ,
    • Therefore as one complaineth, that always in the Senate of Rome, [Cicero 5° de finibus.] there was one or other that called for an interpreter: so lest the Church be driven to the like exigent , it is necessary to have translations in a readiness.
  • (obsolete, UK, legal) The name of a writ in proceedings before outlawry.
    • (Abbott)

    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