convergingadj.
/kənˈvəːdʒɪŋ/ That converges.
1.
a. Inclining towards each other or towards a common point of meeting; tending to meet in a point. In Optics, applied to rays of light which meet or tend to meet in a focus; in Botany, etc., to pairs of organs that bend towards each other. converging fibres (Phys.): ‘fibres which connect different centres of the brain with each other, as the cortical substance with the centres at the base of the brain’ ( New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon 1882).
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > inclination > state or quality of being convergent > [adjective]
concentrated1652
convergent1728
converging1776
corradial1825
synclinal1880
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > [adjective] > towards each other or converging
confluent1598
converging1776
convergent1862
1776 W. Withering Brit. Plants (1796) II. 219 Calyx tubular..with 5 converging scales at the mouth.
1794 J. Hutton Diss. Philos. Light 75 More of the converging light will be absorbed.
1811 J. Wood Elem. Optics ii. 15 Converging rays..approach to each other in their progress, and, if not intercepted, at length meet.
1855 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. IV. 14 Approaching the fated city by many converging routes.
1884 F. O. Bower & D. H. Scott tr. H. A. de Bary Compar. Anat. Phanerogams & Ferns 244 They curve in a converging manner at the next node.
b. figurative of things immaterial that tend to concur or meet.
ΚΠ
1841–8 F. Myers Catholic Thoughts II. iii. xlviii. 185 Where all the converging lines of Scripture meet.
a1871 G. Grote Fragm. Ethical Subj. (1876) iv. 73 The ethical sanctions have a converging tendency towards the happiness of society as their end.
c. Consisting or formed of converging elements or parts.
ΚΠ
1863 A. W. Kinglake Invasion of Crimea (1877) III. i. 86 Under a converging fire of artillery.
2. Mathematics. Applied to an infinite series of terms or numbers, the sum of which, beginning with the first, continually approximates towards a definite limit as more and more terms are taken.A simple converging series is exemplified by the series 1 + 1/ 2 + 1/ 4 + 1/ 8 + 1/ 16, etc., the limit of which is 2. converging fractions: = convergent n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > mathematical number or quantity > numerical arrangement > [adjective] > of sets > of sequences > series
intermediate1648
converging1728
convergent1816
zeroth1850
tactical1864
oscillatory1893
termwise1903
sociable1964
1728 E. Chambers Cycl. Converging Series, in Mathematicks a Method of Approximation, or coming still nearer and nearer towards the true Root of any Number.
1807 C. Hutton Course Math. (ed. 5) II. 300 So arranged..that the series produced may be a converging one, rather than diverging: and this is effected by placing the greater terms foremost in the given fluxion.
1885 H. W. Watson & S. H. Burbury Math. Theory Electr. & Magn. 35 Expanded in a converging series of ascending powers of μ.
3. Causing convergence.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > light > emission of light, radiation > [adjective] > causing convergence
converging1833
1833 N. Arnott Elements Physics (ed. 5) II. 202 The gathering or converging power of any glass.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. xxiv. 354 I placed a large converging lens in the sunbeams.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online September 2021).
<
adj.1728