Supervened: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word originates from the Latin 'supervenire', meaning 'to come upon' or 'to arrive upon'.
• It combines 'super' meaning 'above' and 'venire' meaning 'to come'. So, it literally suggests something coming from above.
• Supervened entered the English language in the 17th century and was often used in philosophical contexts.

Philosophy

• In philosophical discussions, it often refers to a situation where one event or state of affairs is based on another.
• This concept can be crucial in debates about the relationship between mind and body, discussing how mental states can supervene on physical states.
• It highlights the idea that even if things change at a higher level, the foundational aspects remain unchanged.

Science

• In biology, the term is relevant when new traits emerge based on genetic information, suggesting higher-level characteristics depend on lower-level ones.
• It can also apply in ecology, where a new species might supervene and change the dynamics of an ecosystem.
• Supervenience in chemistry may refer to new compounds that emerge from existing elements or molecules.

Literature

• The use of the word has appeared in legal and literary texts emphasizing events that follow or result from already established conditions.
• In some literary critiques, the term may describe themes or narratives that develop further upon initial plot lines.
• Authors often play with this idea to create tension, where a new plot point disrupts the established story dynamics.

Cultural References

• The concept appears in discussions about cultural shifts, where new movements supervene over existing traditions, reshaping societal norms.
• In pop culture, an example can be seen in movies or series where unexpected events change characters' fates, representing the idea of supervening events.
• The term is sometimes used in discussions about technology, where new innovations can supervene upon traditional methods, creating transformation.

At rank #29,301, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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• 29298 barrelled
• 29299 vend
• 29300 epistaxis
• 29301 supervened
• 29302 dammit
• 29303 foisted
• 29304 pyrexia
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