I. ˌkōəˈles verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin coalescere, from co- + alescere to grow — more at old
intransitive verb
1. : to grow together
the edges of a wound coalesce
: unite by growth into one body
the outer suburbs of the two neighboring cities have now almost coalesced
2.
a. : to unite or join together into one body or product : become integrated into a whole
the tables … have … coalesced and … the customers who came in by twos and fours and sixes have become one big party — New York Times
b. : to unite for a common end : join forces : agree in principle or effect
all the divergent forces of the insurrection had coalesced for the final thrust — Paul Willen
these two political parties often coalesce on a candidate
transitive verb
: to cause to unite : bring together to form a unit or a single body
coalesces moralities hardly ever found together — Randall Jarrell
Synonyms: see mix
II. intransitive verb
: to arise from the combination of distinct elements
an organized and a popular resistance immediately coalesced — C.C.Menges