diffluence

English

Alternative forms

• diffluency

Noun

diffluence (countable and uncountable, plural diffluences)

1. A flowing off on all sides; fluidity.
   • 1992, H. W. Hjalmarson, S. P. Kemna, Flood Hazards of Distributary-flow Areas in Southwestern Arizona:

     The characteristics of the soils, vegetation, desert varnish, slope of the stream channel, and drainage texture are used to confirm the location of the primary diffluence.

   • 1994, H. W. Hjalmarson, Potential Flood Hazards and Hydraulic Characteristics of Distributary-Flow Areas in Maricopa County, Arizona, page 2:

     Some of the sediment transported during runoff is deposited locally, and a lobe of deposited sediment is formed downstream from the diffluence.

   • 2004, Roger Barry, Richard Chorley, Roger G. Barry, Atmosphere, Weather and Climate, page 118:

     Usually, however, confluence is associated with an increase in air velocity and diffluence with a decrease. In the intermediate case, confluence is balanced by an increase in wind velocity and diffluence by a decrease in velocity.

   • 2006, John M. Wallace, Peter V. Hobbs, Atmospheric Science: An Introductory Survey, page 273:

     This flow exhibits diffluence and stretching and hence divergence, but no curvature or shear and hence no vorticity.