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Perennial vs Emergent - What's the difference?

perennial | emergent |

As adjectives the difference between perennial and emergent

is that perennial is lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time while emergent is emerging (in the process of emerging).

As a noun perennial

is a perennial plant; a plant that is active throughout the year or survives for more than two growing seasons compare (annual), (biennial).

As a verb emergent is

.

perennial

English

Adjective

(-)
  • Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time.
    • a perennial stream
  • (botany, of a plant) Having a life cycle of more than two years. Compare (annual), (biennial).
  • (figuratively) Continuing without cessation or intermission; perpetual; permanent; unceasing; never failing.
  • * 1790 ,
    • The perennial existence of bodies corporate and their fortunes are things particularly suited to a man who has long views…
  • (figuratively) Enduring; lasting; timeless.
    • His artwork has a perennial beauty.
  • (figuratively) Recurrent; appearing or recurring again and again.
    • Change is a perennial theme in politics.

    Derived terms

    * perennially

    Noun

    (Perennial plant) (en noun)
  • A perennial plant; a plant that is active throughout the year or survives for more than two growing seasons. Compare (annual), (biennial).

    • 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.
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