convergent

[Fr. convergent; Sp., Port., & Ital. convergente, all from Low Lat. convergens (gen it.convergent is), pr. par. of convergo.] [CON VERGE.] I. Ord. Lang .: Tending toward a point; tending to approach each other. (Used of things material or immaterial.) ". directing its convergent curves to heaven." Hallam: Lit. of Europe, pt. i., ch. iii., § 59. II. Technically : 1. Alg . & Arith .: A term applied to certain series or numbers. A convergent series of terms or of numbers is one which, continued ever so far, will not amount to a certain given number. If 3 be the given number, then such a series as to t is convergent, for all the fractions together will never amount to 3. It is opposed to a divergent series of terms or numbers, which being infinitely continued will sooner or later amount to the given number. [DIVERGENT.] 2. Optics , .: A term used specially (1) of rays of light, which, being continued, will meet in a focus; (2) of a lens which will make the rays thus meet in a focus. con-ver-gen-ti, in compos. [From Low Lat. convergens ( gen it.convergent is )=converging.] Bot.: A term used only in the subjoined compound.