Cohere

Part of Speech

Verb

Pronunciation

/kəʊˈhɪə(r)/

Definitions

• To stick together or unite as a whole; to be united or integrated.
• To be logically connected or consistent.
• In physics, to refer to the action of molecular forces that cause substances to adhere to one another.

Usage Examples

• The molecules in the liquid cohere due to the attractive forces between them.
• His arguments did not cohere with the evidence presented in the case.
• The team members were able to cohere around a common goal despite their differences.

Etymology

The word "cohere" comes from the Latin "cohaerere," meaning "to stick together" or "to be united." The Latin "co-" means "together," and "haerere" means "to stick." The word entered English in the late 17th century, retaining its meaning of sticking or adhering together in both literal and figurative senses.

Synonyms

• Unite
• Join
• Stick
• Integrate
• Bond

Antonyms

• Disperse
• Fragment
• Separate
• Disband

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• English (US): /kəʊˈhɪə(r)/
• English (UK): /kəʊˈhɪə/
• Spanish: /ko.eˈɾeɾ/
• French: /ko.eʁe/

Historical Usage

The term "cohere" has been used since the 17th century and originally described the act of sticking together or being united. The word is often used in scientific contexts to describe the forces that allow materials or molecules to stay together, particularly in physics and chemistry. Over time, it expanded in meaning to include the figurative sense of logical or conceptual unity in discussions of philosophy and discourse.

Cultural Nuances

In philosophical discussions, "cohere" is used to describe the logical consistency of arguments, ideas, or beliefs. When ideas cohere, they form a unified whole, and this is often a criterion for evaluating the soundness of philosophical theories or arguments. The term is also widely used in scientific and engineering contexts to explain the physical properties of materials that allow them to stay intact under various conditions, such as in the case of water molecules sticking together due to surface tension.

More Information

The concept of coherence is central to many disciplines, from logic to physics. In logic, coherence refers to the consistency and interconnectedness of statements within a system, making the whole set of beliefs or propositions logically acceptable. In physics, it describes the property of waveforms or particles that exhibit coordinated behavior, which is fundamental to technologies like lasers and quantum computing. Understanding how things cohere, whether it's molecules, ideas, or arguments, is key to making sense of the world around us.