convergence

noun con·ver·gence \kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s\

Definition of CONVERGENCE

: the act of converging and especially moving toward union or uniformity; especially : coordinated movement of the two eyes so that the image of a single point is formed on corresponding retinal areas

: the state or property of being convergent

: independent development of similar characters (as of bodily structure of unrelated organisms or cultural traits) often associated with similarity of habits or environment

: the merging of distinct technologies, industries, or devices into a unified whole

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First Known Use of CONVERGENCE

1713

Related to CONVERGENCE

Synonyms: confluence, conjunction, convergency, meeting

Antonyms: divergence

Other Biology Terms

autochthonous, fecund, homunculus, phylogeny, substrate

Medical Dictionary

convergence

noun con·ver·gence \kən-ˈvər-jən(t)s\

Medical Definition of CONVERGENCE

: an embryonic movement that involves streaming of material from the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the gastrula toward the blastopore and concurrent shifting of lateral materials toward the middorsal line and that is a process fundamental to the establishment of the germ layers

: independent development of similar characters (as of body structure in whales and fishes) by animals or plants of different groups that is often associated with similarity of habits or environment

: movement of the two eyes so coordinated that the images of a single point fall on corresponding points of the two retinas

: overlapping synaptic innervation of a single cell by more than one nerve fiber—compare divergence 2

—con·verge \-ˈvərj\ verb, con·verged con·verg·ing

—con·ver·gent \-ˈvər-jənt\ adjective