Word of the Day for Monday March 27, 2006 confluence \KON-floo-uhn(t)s\, noun: 1. A flowing or coming together; junction. 2. The place where two rivers, streams, etc. meet. 3. A flocking or assemblage of a multitude in one place; a large collection or assemblage. At the confluence of continents, at the narrow neck of the Nile Valley just before it spreads into the flat water-maze of the Delta, this has always been a place where elements mingle and cultures collide. -- Max Rodenbeck, [1] Cairo: The City Victorious It's the combination of these various factors, then -- their historical confluence, if you will -- that must be held responsible for the rapid erosion of the church's authority over sexual matters since the Second Vatican Council. -- Michael W. Cuneo, [5] Lloyd: What Happened But it is not New-York streets built by the confluence of workmen and wealth of all nations, though stretching out toward Philadelphia until they touch it, and northward until they touch New Haven, Hartford, Springfield, Worcester, and Boston, -- not these that make the real estimation. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson, "American Civilization," confluere, "to flow together," from con-, "with, together" + fluere, "to flow." References 1. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0679767274/ref=nosim/lexico 2. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0801862655/ref=nosim/lexico 3. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0679449094/ref=nosim/lexico 4. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385492502/ref=nosim/lexico 5. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0375705643/ref=nosim/lexico 6. http://www.theatlantic.com/ Dictionary.com Entry and Pronunciation http://dictionary.reference.com/search?r=9&q=confluence