▪ I. confluence, n.
(ˈkɒnfluːəns)
Also 5–6 confluens, 6 -flewence.
[ad. (late) L. confluentia flowing together, conflux, f. confluĕre to flow together: see confluent and -ence. Cf. F. confluence (15th c. in Godef.).]
1. A flowing together; the junction and union of two or more streams or moving fluids.
| 1538 Leland Itin. II. 41 A litle a this side the Bridge over the Ise at Abbingdon is a Confluence of 2 Armes..And at this Confluence self in the very Mouth is a very fair Bridge of 7 Arches. 1692 Bentley Boyle Lect. 112 In the..veins.. innumerable little rivulets have their confluence into the great vein. 1794 Sullivan View Nat. I. 366 The larger..rivers proceed..from a confluence of brooks and rivulets. 1828 H. Steuart Planter's Guide 30 The residence was upon an island, formed by the confluence of two rivers. |
b. fig. and transf.
| a 1635 Naunton Fragm. Reg. (Arb.) 13 There was disimbogued into her veines by a confluence of Bloud, the very abstract of all the greatest houses in Christendome. 1818 Hallam Mid. Ages (1872) I. 113 The Roman fraud and perfidy mingled, in baleful confluence, with the ferocity and violence of the Frank. |
c. Applied to the running or flowing together of word-forms originally distinct.
| 1887 Skeat Princ. Eng. Etymol. Ser. i. §385 Confluence of forms. I use the word confluence advisedly, for it would seem that there is a real tendency..for different words to flow as it were together. |
2. The place where two or more rivers, etc., unite.
| 1538 [see 1]. 1614 Selden Titles Hon. 93 The old Seleucia seated neer the confluence of Euphrates and Tygris. 1828 Miss Mitford Village Ser. iii. (1863) 1 The Green was..situate at a confluence of shady lanes. 1859 Jephson Brittany viii. 112 Built upon the confluence of the rivers. |
† b. Hence, formerly, the proper name of many towns; esp. in English, of the city at the junction of the Moselle with the Rhine, Koblentz, L. Confluentes.
| 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 134 a, The residue of the states imperial assembled at Eslinge, do mislyke the doinges of them that were at confluence. 1562 Turner Baths 3 Allthough Confluence be a good citye. |
3. A body of waters produced by the union of several streams; a large body of water, or other fluid, flowing together; a combined flood.
| 1615 Crooke Body of Man 257 The further he wadeth in this Riuer, the greater confluence of waters wil ouertake him. 1637 R. Humfrey tr. St. Ambrose Introd., It runnes in a contrary course, and is the confluence of other waters. 1641 Milton Prel. Episc. (1851) 89 To drinke from the mixt confluence of so many corrupt and poysonous waters. 1742 Young Nt. Th. ix. 749 O what a Confluence of ethereal Fires, From Urns un-number'd, down the Steep of Heaven, Streams to a Point, and centres in my Sight. |
4. The running or flocking together of persons; ‘the act of crowding to a place’ (J.); concourse.
| 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) I. 65 Then the Serpentes take theire confluence to hyt on euery syde. Ibid. I. 191 To whiche cite grete multitude of peple made confluence for cause of erudicion. 1533 More Apol. xxxv. Wks. 900/2 Sythe vnto this diocise there is so great resorte and confluence. 1673 S. C. Art of Complaisance 68 The places to which there is the most general confluence of young gentlemen. 1751 Johnson Rambler No. 147 ¶5, I was long withheld by the perpetual confluence of visitants. 1847 Ld. Cockburn Jrnl. II. 177 The approach and confluence of about 420 Dissenting clergymen. |
5. A numerous concourse or assemblage (of people); ‘a multitude crowded into one place’ (J.).
| 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 186 Gret confluence of peple cam ther to. 1596 Drayton Leg. iv. 283 Amongst that mightie confluence of Men. 1607 Shakes. Timon i. i. 42 You see this confluence, this great flood of visitors. 1729 Wodrow Corr. (1843) III. 452, I lie in the neighbourhood of the city..and we have confluences and multitudes. 1828 D'Israeli Chas. I, II. ix. 239 The vast confluence of people..forced their way to witness the magnificence. |
6. Of things: a. The action of flowing or coming together, of meeting or collecting in one place. b. A numerous collection or assemblage, a large quantity gathered from various quarters.
| 1606 Holland Sueton. 92 In this confluence of so many prosperous successes. 1654 Trapp Comm. Ezra i. 3 He is sure of a confluence of all comforts. a 1711 Ken Serm. Wks. (1838) 124 Grace is a confluence of all attractives. 1856 Stanley Sinai & Pal. ii. (1858) 117 There is no other country in the world which could exhibit the same confluence of associations. 1865 Grote Plato I. i. 55 The Homœomeric body was one in which a confluence of like particles had taken place. |
▪ II. † ˈconfluence, v. Obs. rare—1.
[f. the n.: cf. influence.]
trans. To crowd, to furnish with a confluence of (people).
| 1656 S. H. Gold. Law 66 Publike Pulpits..confluenc'd with people, as is Cheapside Cross, or the Exchange. |