Definition

Noun: 1. The act or process of following or occurring as an additional, often unexpected, event or circumstance: This refers to something that happens subsequently, adding to or complicating an existing situation, frequently in an unforeseen manner.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The supervention of a severe storm delayed the rescue operation. (The unexpected occurrence of a severe storm delayed the rescue operation.)
  • His recovery was complicated by the supervention of a secondary infection. (His recovery was complicated by the subsequent, additional occurrence of a secondary infection.)
  • The peace talks were thrown into disarray by the supervention of new political demands. (The peace talks were thrown into disarray by the unforeseen arising of new political demands.)

Advanced Usage

• In medical or technical contexts: Often used to describe a new condition or complication that arises during the course of an existing one.
  • The patient was managing well until the supervention of neurological symptoms.
• In philosophical or formal discourse: Can describe an event or quality that is added to a pre-existing state.
  • The supervention of mental properties on physical states is a key topic in philosophy of mind.

Variants and Related Words

• Supervene (verb): To occur as an interruption or change in an existing condition.
  • A period of calm supervened after the initial crisis.
• Supervenient (adjective): Occurring as an additional event or circumstance.
  • The supervenient factors made the original plan unworkable.

Synonyms

• Addition: The act or process of adding something.
• Occurrence: An incident or event.
• Complication: A circumstance that complicates something; a secondary disease or condition.
• Intervention: The action of becoming intentionally involved in a situation (can overlap in the sense of something coming between).

Related Phrases

• Upon the supervention of: A formal phrase meaning "upon the occurrence of."
  • Upon the supervention of hostilities, the treaty became void.

Related Idioms

While not a common idiom itself, the concept is often expressed by phrases like: - Out of the blue: Happening unexpectedly. - This new problem came out of the blue. (This conveys the unexpected nature of a supervention.) - A bolt from the blue: A complete surprise, usually an unpleasant one. - The CEO's resignation was a bolt from the blue. (This is similar to a sudden, impactful supervention.)

Noun

1. a following on in addition