cogent

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   powerfully persuasive

   a cogent argument

2. 2
   adj

   Reasonable and convincing; based on evidence.

   We congratulate our correspondents on some very cogent reasoning, and shall have to watch our step even more carefully in future!

3. 3
   adj

   Forcefully persuasive; relevant, pertinent.

   The prosecution presented a cogent argument, convincing the jury of the defendant's guilt.

4. 4
   adj

   Appealing to the intellect or powers of reasoning.

Etymology

From French cogent, from Latin cōgēns, present active participle of cōgō (“drive together, compel”), from cō + agō (“drive”).