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Webster 1913 Edition

Covenant

Cov′e-nant

(k?v′?-nant)
,
Noun.
[OF.
covenant
, fr. F. & OF.
convenir
to agree, L.
convenire
. See
Convene
.]
1.
A mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, or one of the stipulations in such an agreement.
Then Jonathan and David made a
covenant
.
1 Sam. xviiii. 3.
Let there be
covenants
drawn between us.
Shakespeare
If we conclude a peace,
It shall be with such strict and severe
covenants

As little shall the Frenchmen gain thereby.
Shakespeare
2.
(Eccl. Hist.)
An agreement made by the Scottish Parliament in 1638, and by the English Parliament in 1643, to preserve the reformed religion in Scotland, and to extirpate popery and prelacy; – usually called the “Solemn League and Covenant.”
He [Wharton] was born in the days of the
Covenant
, and was the heir of a covenanted house.
Macaulay.
3.
(Theol.)
The promises of God as revealed in the Scriptures, conditioned on certain terms on the part of man, as obedience, repentance, faith, etc.
I will establish my
covenant
between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting
covenant
, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.
Gen. xvii. 7.
4.
A solemn compact between members of a church to maintain its faith, discipline, etc.
Syn. – Agreement; contract; compact; bargain; arrangement; stipulation.
–
Covenant
,
Contract
,
Compact
,
Stipulation
. These words all denote a mutual agreement between two parties. Covenant is frequently used in a religious sense; as, the covenant of works or of grace; a church covenant; the Solemn League and Covenant. Contract is the word most used in the business of life. Crabb and Taylor are wrong in saying that a contract must always be in writing. There are oral and implied contracts as well as written ones, and these are equally enforced by law. In legal usage, the word covenant has an important place as connected with contracts. A compact is only a stronger and more solemn contract. The term is chiefly applied to political alliances. Thus, the old Confederation was a compact between the States. Under the present Federal Constitution, no individual State can, without consent of Congress, enter into a compact with any other State or foreign power. A stipulation is one of the articles or provisions of a contract.

Cov′e-nant

(k?v′?-n?nt)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Covenanted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Covenanting
.]
To agree (with); to enter into a formal agreement; to bind one’s self by contract; to make a stipulation.
Jupiter
covenanted
with him, that it should be hot or cold, wet or dry, . . . as the tenant should direct.
L'Estrange.
Syn. – To agree; contract; bargain; stipulate.

Cov′e-nant

,
Verb.
T.
To grant or promise by covenant.
My covenant of peace that I
covenanted
with you.
Wyclif.

Webster 1828 Edition

Covenant

COVENANT

,
Noun.
[L, to come; a coming together; a meeting or agreement of minds.]
1.
A mutual consent or agreement of two or more persons, to do or to forbear some act or thing; a contract; stipulation. A covenant is created by deed in writing, sealed and executed; or it may be implied in the contract.
2.
A writing containing the terms of agreement or contract between parties; or the clause of agreement in a deed containing the covenant.
3.
In theology, the covenant of works, is that implied in the commands, prohibitions, and promises of God; the promise of God to man, that mans perfect obedience should entitle him to happiness. This do, and live; that do, and die.
The covenant of redemption, is the mutual agreement between the Father and Son, respecting the redemption of sinners by Christ.
The covenant of grace, is that by which God engages to bestow salvation on man, upon the condition that man shall believe in Christ and yield obedience to the terms of the gospel.
4.
In church affairs, a solemn agreement between the members of a church, that they will walk together according to the precepts of the gospel, in brotherly affection.

COVENANT

,
Verb.
I.
To enter into a formal agreement; to stipulate; to bind ones self by contract. A covenants with B to convey to him a certain estate. When the terms are expressed ti has for before the thing or price.
They covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26.

COVENANT

,
Verb.
T.
To grant or promise by covenant.

Definition 2024

covenant

covenant

English

Alternative forms

Noun

covenant ‎(plural covenants)

  1. (law) An agreement to do or not do a particular thing.
  2. (law) 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.

Translations

Related terms

Verb

covenant ‎(third-person singular simple present covenants, present participle covenanting, simple past and past participle covenanted)

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

Translations

Related terms

Old French

Etymology

From Latin conveniēns, conveniēntem ‎(“agreeing, agreeable, suitable, convenient”), present participle of conveniō ‎(“to agree”).

Verb

covenant

  1. present participle of covenir

Noun

covenant m ‎(oblique plural covenanz or covenantz, nominative singular covenanz or covenantz, nominative plural covenant)

  1. covenant
    • circa 1150, Thomas d'Angleterre, Le Roman de Tristan, page 220 (of the Champion Classiques edition, ISBN 2-7453-0520-4), line 2895:
      Del convenant vus deit membrer
      You must remember the convenant

Descendants

Etymology

From Middle English, a borrowing from Old French covenant ‎(“agreement”), from Latin conveniēns, conveniēntem ‎(“agreeing, agreeable, suitable, convenient”), present participle of conveniō ‎(“to agree”). Cognate with convenient.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈkʌv.ən.ənt/

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