CONFLUENT

When streamlines (q.v.) approach one another, the pattern is a confluent one. However, note that because streamlines only define the wind direction, and not the wind speed, a confluent pattern is not necessarily a convergent pattern. [ The opposite of confluent is diffluent (often spelt difluent in North American texts.). This case denotes the spreading apart of streamlines. Again, such diffluent patterns are not necessarily divergent. ] (see also convergence, divergence.)