Congruences

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A relationship of agreement or harmony between things that align or correspond to each other in some way
2. The state in which elements or ideas conform to a particular standard or set of criteria in mathematics or logic
3. Instances of coinciding characteristics or properties that create a sense of uniformity or compatibility among different entities

Etymology: "Congruences" is simply the plural of "congruence," so its history is that of the singular noun. The root is the Latin verb "congruo," meaning "meet together" or "agree," built from "con-" ("together") and a verb sense of coming to meet or fit with something. Its present participle "congruens" gave rise to the Latin noun "congruentia," meaning "agreement," which passed into Middle English as "congruence." The English word has kept the sense of things meeting or fitting together. Its meaning of agreement or harmony between parts, opinions or actions grew naturally from the physical idea of two things coming together exactly. The plural form is used when several such agreements or correspondences are being considered at once.

Synonyms: agreements, accords, congruities

Antonyms: discrepancies, disagreements