coherere

Coherere is a term used in speculative and interdisciplinary discussions to denote the process by which multiple inputs—data streams, narrative fragments, or sensory signals—are bound together to form a stable, interpretable whole. It is not an established technical term and has no single formal definition; instead, its meaning varies by discipline, reflecting a focus on coherence generation rather than mere correlation.

Etymology and form: The word coherere is formed from a Latin-like co- prefix meaning “together” and a verb-like ending, suggesting a process or action. It is a constructed coinage rather than a classical term, and its usage is informal rather than standardized.

Applications and scope: In information theory and artificial intelligence, coherere may describe mechanisms that align disparate sources (such as sensor data, prior models, and user signals) to produce a consistent representation. In narrative theory or literary studies, coherere can refer to how authors arrange events, motifs, and perspectives to knit a plot into a coherent whole. In cognitive science, the term appears in discussions of how the mind integrates multimodal information into a unified percept.

Usage notes: Because coherere lacks formal specification, its definition is context-dependent. Authors typically contrast coherere with mere aggregation or correlation, emphasizing the emergence of reliable, interpretable structure from complex inputs.

See also: coherence, coherence theory, data fusion, multimodal integration, narrative theory.