A state reached when the total value of a system (be it sentimental value, monetary worth, efficiency, utility, etc.) exceeds the combined worth of each individual component of that system.

For example: A house is worth more than the value of the individual pieces of wood, sheetrock, drywall, wiring, and other components that it consists of. (Of course, when it comes to repairs, some try to convince you otherwise. :D)

Similarly, a Rembrandt painting is worth far more than the canvas and paint that were combined to make it.

This has been a nodeshell rescue.