Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cogent \Co"gent\ (k[=o]"j[e^]nt), a. [L. cogens, p. pr. of
   cogere to drive together, to force; co- + agere to drive. See
   {Agent}, a., and cf. {Coact} to force, {Coagulate}, p. a.]
   1. Compelling, in a physical sense; powerful. [Obs.]

            The cogent force of nature.           --Prior.

   2. Having the power to compel conviction or move the will;
      constraining; conclusive; forcible; powerful; not easily
      reasisted.

            No better nor more cogent reason.     --Dr. H. More.

            Proofs of the most cogent description. --Tyndall.

            The tongue whose strains were cogent as commands,
            Revered at home, and felt in foreign lands.
                                                  --Cowper.

   Syn: Forcible; powerful; potent; urgent; strong; persuasive;
        convincing; conclusive; influential.

Source : WordNet®

cogent
     adj 1: having the power to influence or convince; "a cogent
            analysis of the problem"; "potent arguments" [syn: {potent},
             {powerful}]
     2: powerfully persuasive; "a cogent argument"; "a telling
        presentation"; "a weighty argument" [syn: {telling}, {weighty}]

Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

COGENT
     
        COmpiler and GENeralized Translator.
     
        A {compiler} writing language with pattern-directed string and
        list processing features, for {CDC 3600} and {CDC} 3800.  A
        program consists of {production}s defining a {context-free}
        language, plus analysis and synthesis function generators.
     
        ["COGENT Programming Manual", J.C. Reynolds, ANL-7022, Argonne,
        Mar 1965].
     
        [Sammet 1969, p.638].
     
        ["An Introduction to the COGENT System", J.C. Reynolds, Proc
        ACM 20th Natl Conf, 1965].
     
        (1994-12-23)