I. ˈkəvənənt sometimes -vnə- noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French, from present participle of covenir to agree, be suitable, meet, from Latin convenire — more at convene
1.
a. : an agreement that is usually formal, solemn, and intended as binding : compact
international law, which depends upon the sanctity of covenants between rulers — G.H.Sabine
the covenant among the people to defend their religion
b. : a particular stipulation in a covenant — obs. except in law
2. obsolete : security , pledge
3.
a. : an undertaking or promise of legal validity: as
(1) : a contract under seal distinguished from other specialties by the promise or undertaking contained in it
(2) : a particular agreement contained in a specialty or deed incidental to its main purpose — see usual covenants
(3) : the document or writing containing the terms of the agreement or promise
b. : the common-law form of action to recover damages for breach of such a contract
4. : a solemn compact between members of a church to maintain its faith and discipline ; also : the document recording such a compact
5. : the promises of God as revealed in the Scriptures conditioned on certain terms on the part of man (as obedience, repentance, and faith) ; specifically : an agreement regarded as having been made between God and his people Israel (as represented by Abraham, David, and others) whereby Israel was to be faithful to God and God was to protect and bless his faithful people
II. “, before a syllable-increasing inflectional suffix usually -vəˌnant or -vəˌnaa(ə)nt verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English convenanten, from covenant, n.
transitive verb
1. : to promise solemnly by or as if by a covenant : pledge in formal agreement
covenanting that their hostages would be present
covenanting to sell only to certain buyers
2. : to lay down as a condition : stipulate
before signing, he covenanted that he would remain in possession
intransitive verb
: to enter into a covenant : to come to formal agreement : contract
his retainers covenanting in loyalty to the king
Synonyms: see promise