diffluence

plural diffluences · alternative diffluency

1. countableuncountableA flowing off on all sides; fluidity.

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

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

   3 more examples

   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.

   1992, H. W. Hjalmarson, S. P. Kemna, Flood Hazards of Distributary-flow Areas in Southwestern Arizona

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

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

   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.

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