Main Entry:

co·gent

Pronunciation:

\ˈkō-jənt\

Function:

adjective

Etymology:

Latin cogent-, cogens, present participle of cogere to drive together, collect, from co- + agere to drive — more at agent

Date:

1659

1: having power to compel or constrain <cogent forces>2 a: appealing forcibly to the mind or reason : convincing <cogent evidence> b: pertinent, relevant <a cogent analysis>

synonyms see valid

— co·gent·ly adverb