adjective

confluent

KAHN-floo-unt/kɑnflˈuʌnt/

Flowing or merging together into a continuous whole.

The confluent streams join to form one wider channel of water.

Two adjacent narrow water channels merge into a single wider channel, continuous current and joined water visible, simple stone edging and no labels.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with

+fluLatinto flow

+entLatinpresent participle ending

The pieces describe things actively “flowing together,” as streams meet in their courses. The adjective carries that image into the broader description of things merging into one.

In context

Libranima2:08

… so that in the tail the confluent measureless force of the whole whale seems concentrated to a point.

Moby Dick - Illustrated Audiobook for Focused Reading (Part 3/3)

More examples

The streams become confluent at the edge of the valley.
She paints confluent bands of color with a wet brush.
Small spots grow into a single confluent patch.

Forms

confluent

confluence noun — A flowing or merging together.

Similar words

merging: Emphasizes the process of joining rather than the continuous result.
continuous: Emphasizes an unbroken whole rather than separate parts joining.