coherent
/kə(ʊ)ˈhɪər(ə)nt
/adjective
1(Of an argument, theory, or policy) logical and consistent: they failed to develop a coherent economic strategy...
- I fail to see how that provides a logical, coherent argument for the increase.
- Today the politics of these countries become more and more populist: appeals to public opinion rather than to reasoned concepts of coherent policy.
- Neither plaintiff can articulate any coherent argument, and the case ought to have been tossed out in an instant.
Synonyms
logical, reasoned, reasonable, well reasoned, rational, sound, cogent;
consistent, well organized, systematic, orderly, methodical;
clear, lucid, articulate, relevant, intelligible, comprehensible
informal joined-up
1.1(Of a person) able to speak clearly and logically: she was lucid and coherent and did not appear to be injured...
- A military source at Central Command said: ‘She was coherent and was able to give her rescuers the thumbs up.’
- By then, he was coherent enough to be able to listen to the twin's conversation.
- When she does catch what we are talking about she is very coherent and has intelligent comments to make.
2Forming a unified whole: the arts could be systematized into one coherent body of knowledge...
- Here we have a coherent body of knowledge, which Lyndon LaRouche has developed.
- Think security and the idea of assembling a coherent body of knowledge on a terrorist organisation.
- The prize will honor a visually compelling, coherent body of work that bears witness and has integrity of purpose.
3 Physics (Of waves) having a constant phase relationship.There are of course lasers with wavelengths in the infrared, masers that emit coherent microwaves, and even x-ray lasers....
- In other words, the phase of the coherent matter wave is well defined but the number of atoms fluctuates from site to site.
- A laser is the generator of intense coherent, electromagnetic radiation in the spectral range between ultra violet and infrared wavelengths.
Origin
Mid 16th century (in the sense 'logically related to'): from Latin cohaerent- 'sticking together', from the verb cohaerere (see cohere).