Coherent is a word with a somewhat tricky spelling. It is pronounced /koʊˈhɪrənt/, with the stress on the second syllable. The first two letters, "co," are pronounced like "koh." The "he" in "herent" is pronounced like "hi," and the "re" is pronounced like "ruh." The "nt" at the end is pronounced like "ent." The spelling of the word reflects its Latin origin, with the prefix "co-" meaning "together" and "here-" meaning "stick or cling." Therefore, coherent means to stick together in a logical or consistent way.
Coherent is an adjective that describes something that is logical, consistent, and well-organized. When applied to thoughts, ideas, or arguments, it means that they are clear, rational, and able to be understood easily. A coherent statement or argument makes sense and is not contradictory or confusing. It is marked by a smooth flow of ideas and a logical progression from one point to another.
In terms of speech or writing, coherence refers to the arrangement and organization of words, sentences, and paragraphs in a way that makes them logical and easy to understand. A coherent passage or essay contains well-connected ideas and smooth transitions, allowing the reader or listener to follow the intended message without difficulty.
Coherence can also refer to a person's mental state. If someone is coherent, it means their thoughts are clear and they are able to express themselves in a way that others can understand. A coherent person is mentally alert and able to think and respond logically and lucidly.
In a broader context, coherent can encompass various fields or systems that exhibit internal consistency and interconnectedness. For example, a coherent theory implies that all the components and principles within it fit together and support one another, forming a unified and comprehensive framework.
Overall, the term coherent suggests a sense of clarity, consistency, and intelligibility, whether applied to thoughts, communication, or systems.
Sticking together; related in some form or order; consistent; having a due agreement of parts.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "coherent" comes from the Latin word "cohaerentem", which is the present participle form of the verb "cohaerere". "Cohaerere" is a compound of the prefix "co-" meaning "together" and the verb "haerere" meaning "to stick" or "to adhere". Hence, the original Latin meaning of "cohaerere" is "to stick together". Over time, the word shifted in meaning and was eventually borrowed into English as "coherent", maintaining the concept of something that is "sticking together" in a logical and understandable way.