The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Emergence \E*mer"gence\, n.; pl. Emergences.
   The act of rising out of a fluid, or coming forth from
   envelopment or concealment, or of rising into view; sudden
   uprisal or appearance.
   [1913 Webster]

         The white color of all refracted light, at its very
         first emergence . . . is compounded of various colors.
                                                  --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.
   [1913 Webster]

         When from the deep thy bright emergence sprung. --H.
                                                  Brooke.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

emergence
    n 1: the gradual beginning or coming forth; "figurines presage
         the emergence of sculpture in Greece" [syn: emergence,
         outgrowth, growth]
    2: the becoming visible; "not a day's difference between the
       emergence of the andrenas and the opening of the willow
       catkins" [syn: emergence, egress, issue]
    3: the act of emerging [syn: emergence, emersion]
    4: the act of coming (or going) out; becoming apparent [syn:
       egress, egression, emergence]