from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Confluent \Con"flu*ent\, a. [L. confluens, -entis, p. pr. of
confluere, -fluxum; con- + fluere to flow. See {Fluent}.]
1. Flowing together; meeting in their course; running one
into another; flowing together to form a single stream.
Syn: merging(prenominal).
[1913 Webster]
These confluent steams make some great river's
head. --Blackmore.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.) Blended into one; growing together, so as to
obliterate all distinction.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Med.)
(a) Running together or uniting, as pimples or pustules.
(b) Characterized by having the pustules, etc., run
together or unite, so as to cover the surface; as,
confluent smallpox. --Dunglison.
[1913 Webster]