Covenant

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkÊŒv.É™n.É™nt/

Alternative forms

• covenaunt obsolete

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French covenant ("agreement"), from Latin conveniens ("agreeing, agreeable, suitable, convenient"), present participle of conveniō ("to agree"). Cognate with convenient.

Full definition of covenant

Noun

1. (legal) An agreement to do or not do a particular thing.
2. (legal) A promise, incidental to a deed or contract, either express or implied.
3. A pact or binding agreement between two or more parties.
4. An incidental clause in an agreement.

Related terms

• Ark of the Covenant
• covenant of salt
• covenant of title

Verb

1. to enter into, or promise something by, a covenant
• L'EstrangeJupiter covenanted with him, that it should be hot or cold, wet or dry, ... as the tenant should direct.
• Bible, Matthew xxvi. 15and they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver
2. (legal) To enter a formal agreement.
3. (legal) To bind oneself in contract.
4. (legal) To make a stipulation.

Related terms