1. (

• emergency ,
• exigency ,
• pinch ,

) a sudden unforeseen crisis (usually involving danger) that requires immediate action; "he never knew what to do in an emergency" ;

2. (

• emergency

) a state in which martial law applies; "the governor declared a state of emergency" ;

3. (

• hand_brake ,
• emergency ,
• emergency_brake ,
• parking_brake

) a brake operated by hand; usually operates by mechanical linkage ;