conventual 
ber wh<> put thu strictest construction on the rule of their 
order were denominated observantes, or brethren of the 
observance. Prescott, Ferd. and Isa., ii. 5. 
converge (kou-verj'), v.; pret. and pp. converg- 
ed, ppr. converging. [= F. converger = Sp. Pg. 
converger = It. convergere, < LL. conrergere, in- 
cline together, < L. cow-, together, + vergere, 
incline, turn, bend: see verge, v. Cf. diverge.] 
I. intrann. To tend to meet in a point or line; 
incline and approach nearer together, as two 
or more lines in the same plane which are not 
parallel, or two planes which are not parallel ; 
tend to meet if prolonged or continued ; figur- 
atively, to tend or lead to a common result, 
conclusion, etc. : opposed to diverge. 
Colours mingle, features join, 
And lines cuaiYnn: 
Akenside, Pleasures of Imagination, in. 
The mountains cotirerge into a single ridge. Jefersim. 
From whatever side we commence the investigation, cm- 
paths alike mnrerye toward the principle of which this 
theory [of equity] is a development. 
H. Spencer, Social Statics, p. 499. 
As the tree grows, the outer leaves diverge, and get far- 
ther from the tree and from each other ; and two extremi- 
ties that have once diverged never converge and grow to- 
gether again. W. K. Cli/ord, Lectures, I. 89. 
II. trans. To cause to approach, or meet in a 
point. 
For, on observing what happens when the axes of the 
two eyes are converged on an object, it will be perceived 
that we become conscious of the space it occupies, and of 
the closely-environing space, with much more distinctness 
than we are conscious of any other space. 
H. Spencer, Prin. of Psychol., 119. 
To obtain a knowledge of the behaviour of crystalline 
plates in converging polarised light, a polarising appara- 
tus constructed by Dubosq is employed. 
Lominel, Light (trans.), p. 325. 
convergence, convergency (kon-v&r'jens, -jeu- 
si), n. ; pi. convergences, coni'ergencies (-jen-sez, 
-siz). [< F. convergence (= Sp. Pg. convergen- 
cia = It. cmivergenza), < convergent: see conver- 
gent.] 1. The character or fact of converging; 
tendency to one point ; the fact of meeting in 
a point. 2. In math.: (a) The gradual and 
indefinite approximation of the sum of an infi- 
nite series toward a finite value. (6) The sca- 
erforming upon any 
1242 
is a converging series for all values of x. But 
is only converging for a value of x whose modulus is less 
than unity Also called convergent serirx. 
conversable (kon-ver'sa-bl), a. [< F. conver- 
sable = Sp. conversable = Pg. conversavel = It. 
conversabile, < ML. eonversabiUs, < L. conversari, 
converse: see converse 1 , v.~] 1. Qualified for 
conversation, or disposed to converse ; ready 
in or inclined to mutual communication of 
thoughts; sociable; communicative. 
The ladys here are very conversable, and the religious 
women not at all reserv'd. Evelyn, Diary, May 21, 1645. 
Your intervals of time to spend 
With so conversable a friend. 
Swift, Reason for not Building at Drapier's Hill. 
Mrs. Bardell let lodgings to many conversable single gen- 
tlemen, with great profit, but never brought any more ac- 
tions for In-each of promise of marriage. 
Dickens, Pickwick, Ivii. 
2f. Capable of being conversed with; open to 
conversation. 
Kings should not always act the king : that is, should be 
just, and mix sweetness with greatness, and be convertible 
by good men. Penn, No Cross, No Crown, ii. 
Also written conversible. 
conversableness (kon-ver'sa-bl-nes), . The 
quality of being conversable; disposition or 
readiness to converse ; sociability ; affability. 
COnversably (kon-ver'sa-bli), adv. 1. In a con- 
versable manner; affably. 2f. In conversa- 
tion; colloquially. 
Nor is there any people, either in the Island, or on the 
Continent, that speaks it [pristine Greek] conversalily, 
Hoicell, Letters, I. i. 27. 
conversance, conversancy (kon' ver-sans, -san- 
si), n. [< conversant: see -ante, -<tncy.~] The 
state of being conversant ; familiarity ; familiar 
intercourse or acquaintance. [Rare.] 
The greater number of its stories embody such passages 
in the personal history of the eminent men and women 
of Europe as the author came to the knowledge of by con- 
versance with the circles in which they moved. 
X. P. Willis, People I have Met, Pref. 
Conversancy with the books that teach, 
The arts that help. 
Brmming, Ring and Book, II. 325. 
t a o-j tt 4-fc tt 
dx ay dz 
It is so called because, if the vector function be consid- 
ered as representing the velocity and direction of a flow- 
ing fluid, the surface integral of this function over a closed 
surface, or the flow inward through that surface, is equal 
to the volume integral of the convergence within the 
surface. See curl. Circle of convergence, a circle so 
drawn in the plane whose points represent all imaginary 
values of the variable that all the points within it repre- 
sent values for which a given scries is convergent, and all 
(K)ints without it represent points for which the series 
is divergent. But of points on the circumference of the 
circle, some are generally of one class and some of the 
other. Magnetic points of convergence. See mag- 
netic. 
convergent (kon-ver'jent), a. and n. [< F. 
convergent = Sp. Pg. U."convergente, < LL. con- 
vergcn(t-)s, ppr. of convergere: see converge.] 
I. a. Tending to meet or actually meeting in 
a point ; approaching each other, as two lines ; 
figuratively, tending to a common result, con- 
clusion, etc.: as, convergent lines; convergent 
theories. 
Artistic beauty and moral beauty are convergent lines 
which run back into a common ideal origin. 
S. Lanier, The English Novel, p. 273. 
Convergent fraction. Same as convergent, n. Conver- 
gent-nerved. same as converginerved. Convergent 
series. Same as converging series (which see, under con- 
n-riling). 
II. n. A fraction expressing the approximate 
value of a continued fraction, when only some 
of the first incomplete quotients are used. Thus, 
the converge/its to the ratio of the circumference of a circle 
to its diameter are, j, ^, }Jg, J}5, etc., these being approxi- 
mations to the continued fraction representing this ratio. 
See continued fraction, under continued. 
converginerved (kon-ver'ji-uervd), . [Irreg. 
< L. conivrgrrc, converge, + ner- 
vus, nerve, + -ed 2 .] In bot., having 
longitudinal nerves convergent at 
the ends : applied to leaves. 
converging (kou-ver' jing), p. a. 
[Ppr. of converge, t'.] Tending to 
meet in a point; in general, ap- 
proaching each other. Converging 
light, light transmitted in converging, 
in distinction from parallel, rays. Con- 
verging series, in math., an infinite se- 
ries the sum of whose terms, be^imiiiit; 
with the first, approximates indefinitely 
toward a limit as more and more of these terms are taken 
into account. Thus, 
Converginerved 
Leaf. 
1.2.3 1.2.3.4 1.2.3.4.5 
of concersari, live with, converse : see converse 1 , 
v.] 1. Having frequent or customary inter- 
course ; intimately associating ; familiar by 
companionship ; acquainted : followed by with, 
formerly also by among. 
Thei seide she was not worth! to be conuersaunt a-monge 
peple. Merlin (E. E. T. 8.), iii. 422. 
The strangers that were conversant among them. 
Josh. viii. 35. 
But the men were very good unto us ... as long as we 
were conversant with them. 1 Sam. xxv. 15. 
Never to be infected with delight, 
Nor conversant with ease and idleness. 
Shak., K. John, iv. 3. 
What I pretend by this dedication is an honour which I 
do myself to posterity, by acquainting them that I have 
been conversant with the first persons of the age in which 
I lived. Dryden, Ded. of King Arthur. 
2. Acquainted by familiar use or study ; hav- 
ing a thorough or intimate knowledge or pro- 
ficiency : followed generally by with, formerly 
and still occasionally by in. 
The learning and skill which he had by being conversant 
in their books. Hooker, Eccles. Polity, iii. 8. 
Among men long conversant with books, we too fre- 
quently find those misplaced virtues of which I have been 
now complaining. Goldsmith, The Bee, No. 3. 
His eye is both microscopic and telescopic ; conversant 
at once with the animalcules of society and letters, and the 
larger objects of human concern. 
Whipple, Ess. and Rev., I. 14. 
3. Having concern or connection ; concerned, 
occupied, or engaged: followed by witlt or about. 
Education is conversant about children. 
Sir H. Wotton, Education of Children. 
Moral action is conversant almost wholly -with evidence 
which in itself is only probable. 
Gladstone, Might of Right, p. 93. 
= Syn. 2. Versed (in), skilled (in), proficient (in). 
conversantly (kon'ver-sant-li), adt. In a con- 
versant or familiar manner. 
conversation (kon-ver-sa'shon), . [< ME. 
conversation, -cioun = D. konrersatie = Or. con- 
versation = Dan. Sw. konversation, < OF. con- 
versation, -tion, F. conversation = Sp. conversa- 
tion = Pg. conversaqao = It. conversazione, < L. 
conversatio(n-), conversation, manner of life, < 
conversari, pp. eonversatiis, live with, converse: 
see eoMiv/wl, v.] 1. General course of actions 
or habits; 7iianner of life; behavior; deport- 
ment, especially with respect to morals. [Ob- 
solescent.] 
converse 
Noo . . . persoun shalbe admitted unto this (Jilde but 
if a bee founde of goode name and fame, of good comuria- 
con, and honeste in his demeanour, and of goode rule. 
English Gilds (E. E. T. S.), p. 190. 
Be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Pet. i. 15. 
The hunters and hawkers among the clergy [were] re- 
called to graver conversation. 
R. W. Dixon, Hist. Church of Eng., ii. 
2. Familiar intercourse ; intimate acquain- 
tance or association; commerce in social life. 
[Obsolescent.] 
It has been my study still to please those women 
That fell within my conversation. 
Shirley, Hyde Park, ii. 3. 
Conversation, when they come into the world, soon gives 
them a becoming assurance. Locke, Education. 
3f. Familiar acquaintance from using or study- 
ing. 
Much conversation in books. Bacon. 
4. Informal interchange of thoughts and sen- 
timents by spoken words ; informal or familiar 
talk. [Now the most general use of the word.] 
One of the best rules for conversation is never to say a 
thing which any of the company can reasonably wish we 
had rather left unsaid. Sterne. 
Wise, cultivated, genial conversation is the last flower of 
civilization, and the best result which life has to offer us 
a cup for gods, which has no repentance. 
.Emerson, Misc., p. 340. 
5. A meeting for conversation, especially on 
literary subjects ; a conversazione. 
Lady Pomfrethas a charming conversation once a week. 
Walpole, Letters (1740), I. 71. 
6. Sexual intercourse : as, criminal conversation 
(which see, under criminal) Conversation-tube, 
a tube for enabling conversation to be carried on easily 
with deaf people ; an ear-trumpet. See speaking-tube. 
conversational (kon-ver-sa'shon-al), a. [< con- 
versation + -/.] Of, pertaining to, or charac- 
teristic of conversation : as, conversational pow- 
ers ; a conversational style. 
Richardson's novels deserve special mention, as being 
a rich store of the conversational dialect of their author's 
age. /'. Hall, Mod. Eng., p. 320. 
conversationalist (kon-ver-sa'shon-al-ist), n. 
[< conversational + -ist.] A talker; especial- 
ly, an agreeable and interesting talker ; a con- 
verser ; one who excels in conversation. 
People who never talked anywhere else were driven to 
talk in those old coaches ; while a ready conversationalist, 
like Judge Story, was stimulated to incessant cerebral dis- 
charges. Josiah Quincu, Figures of the Past, p. 191. 
conversationally (kon-ver-sa'shon-al-i), adv. 
In a conversational manner. 
conver sationedt (kon-v&r-sa'shond), a. [< con- 
versation + -erf 2 .] Having a certain behavior 
or deportment. 
Till she be better conversation' A, 
. . . I'll keep 
As far from her as the gallows. 
Beau, and Fl., The Captain, i. 1. 
conversationism (kon-ver-sa'shon-izm), n. [< 
conversation + -ism.] A word or phrase used 
in familiar conversation ; a colloquialism. 
conversationist (kon-ver-sa'shon-ist), n. [< 
conversation + -ist.] A talker; a converser; a 
conversationalist. 
I must not quite omit the talking sage, 
Kit Cat, the famous conversationist. 
Byron, Don Juan, xiii. 47. 
From a poet <>f unusual promise, he [Fitz-Greene Hal- 
leek] relapsed into a mere oonwnaMonM. 
D. J. JJill, Bryant, p. 04. 
conversative (kon-ver'sa-tiv), a. [< converse^, 
c., + -ative; = It. conversativo.] Relating to 
mutual intercourse ; social : opposed to con- 
templative. [Bare.] 
She chose rather to endue him with cimversative qualities 
and ornaments of youth. Sir H. Wotton, Buckingham. 
conversazione (kon-ver-sat-si-6'ne), . ; pi. con- 
versazioni (-ne). [It., = E. conversation, q. v.] 
A meeting for conversation, particularly on 
literary subjects. 
These conversazioni [at Florence] resemble our card- 
assemblies. Dntmmond, Travels (1754), p. 41. 
converse 1 (kon-vers'), v. i.; pret. and pp. con- 
versed, ppr. conversing. [< ME. convergen = D. 
konverseren = Dan. konversere = Sw. Jconvcrsera, 
< OF. (and F.) converser = Pr. Sp. Pg. conrrrxtir 
= It. comersare, < L. conversari, live, dwell, live 
with, keep company with, passive (middle) voice 
of conversare, turn round, freq. of conrcrtcn; 
pp. converses, turn round: see convert, v.] 1. 
To keep company; associate; hold intercourse : 
followed by with. [Now chiefly poetical.] 
God . . . coni-i-ff.-il i'-!th man, in the very first, in siu-h 
clear, and certain, and perceptible transaction, that :i man 
could as certainly know that tiod was as that man was. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), I.. Pref. 
Uod shall be born of a Virgin, and ctw>-{x<> iriHi Sinner.*. 
Houvll, Letters, iv. 43. 
