Emily Dickinson Lexicon

E-MERG'ENCE, or E-MERG'EN-CY, n.

1. The act of rising out of a fluid or other covering, or surrounding matter.
2. The act of rising or starting into view; the act of issuing from or quitting. The white color of all refracted light, at its first emergence – is compounded of various colors. Newton.
3. That which comes suddenly; a sudden occasion; an unexpected event. Most of our rarities have been found out by casual emergency. Glanville.
4. Exigence; any event or occasional combination of circumstances which calls for immediate action or remedy; pressing necessity. In case of emergency [or in an emergency], he would employ the whole wealth of his empire. Addison.