Interfusion

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The act or process of blending two or more elements into a unified whole
2. A state resulting from the mingling or merging of various components
3. The interaction resulting in a harmonious combination of distinct entities

Etymology: "Interfusion" is a plain compound: the prefix "inter-", meaning "between" or "among," joined to "fusion," from Latin "fusio," a pouring or melting together, from "fundere," to pour. Put together, the word describes a mingling that happens between things rather than within one of them, so the meaning is literally a pouring-together of separate parts. The word's usefulness lies in that prefix. "Fusion" alone suggests two substances merging into one indistinguishable whole, while "interfusion" keeps the distinct entities visible and describes what happens in the space between them. That is why it suits the sense of a harmonious combination in which each element remains recognizable.

Synonyms: blending, mixing, fusion, integration, combination

Antonyms: separation, division, isolation, disconnection, segregation