congruere

Congruere is a Latin verb meaning to come together, to fit or to be in harmony, and by extension to agree or to correspond. It is a third-conjugation verb, with principal parts commonly given as congruo, congruere, conruī, congritum. In usage it can refer to physical convergence, such as lines or pieces that fit, as well as more abstract alignment, such as statements, opinions, or circumstances that agree with one another.

Etymology and form. The form is built from the prefix con- meaning together, combined with a root related to movement or collision in classic Latin morphologies. The sense shifts across contexts from literal assembly to figurative agreement, a common pathway in Latin where concrete action expands into metaphorical meaning.

Usage. In classical Latin, congruere appears in contexts describing things that come into alignment or suit one another. It can describe objects that fit physically, as well as ideas or plans that are consistent with a given principle, rule, or other statements. The verb often conveys a sense of suitability or compatibility, and it can take predicates or complement clauses to express agreement or conformity.

derivatives and influence. The noun congruentia or congruitas and related forms appear in Latin to denote concord, harmony, or appropriateness. In English, the same root gives congruent and congruence, terms widely used in geometry, logic, and everyday language to denote things that match or agree in size, shape, or logic.

See also. Congruence, Congruent, Latin grammar references such as Lewis and Short.