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Emergent vs Latent - What's the difference?

emergent | latent |

As adjectives the difference between emergent and latent

is that emergent is arising unexpectedly, especially if also calling for immediate reaction; constituting an emergency while latent is existing or present but concealed or inactive.

As a noun emergent

is a plant whose root system grows underwater, but whose shoot, leaves and flowers grow up and above the water.

emergent

English

(emergence)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (lb) Arising unexpectedly, especially if also calling for immediate reaction; constituting an emergency.
  • * 1918 , The Missionary Review of the World , volume 41, page 818:
  • In all these great and vital things which America has discovered to be emergent necessities,
  • Emerging; coming into view or into existence; nascent; new.
  • (botany) Taller than the surrounding vegetation.
  • (botany, of a water-dwelling plant) Having leaves and flowers above the water.
  • (video games) Having gameplay that arises from its mechanics, rather than a linear storyline.
  • * 2008 , Jim Rossignol, This Gaming Life: Travels in Three Cities (page 126)
  • In short, emergent games are ones that allow a huge range of possibilities and don't dictate a strict, linear flow of events. A strategy game is emergent because so many units can interact and have some effect on each other.

    Derived terms

    * emergent evolution * emergently

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (botany) A plant whose root system grows underwater, but whose shoot, leaves and flowers grow up and above the water.
  • ----

    latent

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Existing or present but concealed or inactive.
  • * 2008 July 2, Joe Palca, “Scientists Make Herpes Breakthrough”, abstract, All Things Considered , National Public Radio
  • Those infected with a herpes virus are infected for life. That’s because the virus goes "latent ." Sometimes, it awakes from its slumber, producing painful illnesses.

    Synonyms

    *(concealed) hidden, invisible *(inactive) dormant

    Antonyms

    *(concealed) apparent, patent, visible

    Anagrams

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