Coherence
/koʊˈhɪrəns/noun
The quality of being logically connected, consistent, and easy to understand.
Did you know?Coherence shares its Latin root with “hesitate”: both descend from the idea of clinging or being stuck, though hesitation became mental ‘sticking.’
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ghais-
“To adhere, stick, or cling; a reconstructed root connected with later Latin forms.”
Classical Latin
Latin
cohaerēre
“To stick together, remain connected, or be closely joined.”
Late Latin
Latin
cohaerentia
“Connection, consistency, or the quality of holding together.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
coherentia
“Logical or structural connectedness.”
15th Century
English
coherence
“The quality of being coherent or logically connected.”
Modern English
English
coherence
“Clear, unified connection among ideas, statements, or parts.”