Abstract: A system and method for of identifying a semantic meaning of searchable elements are provided. In one implementation, a system includes an adaptive machine-learning module including a pattern recognition processor. The pattern recognition processor is configured to recognize searchable elements in source information and identify a semantic meaning of the searchable elements based on contingency measures of their relationships within the source information without requiring a predefined ontology of terms. In another implementation, a method includes recognizing searchable elements in source information; and identifying a semantic meaning of the searchable elements using a pattern recognition processor based on contingency measures of searchable element relationships within the source information without requiring a predefined ontology of terms.