covenant

¹cov·e·nant

noun \ˈkəv-nənt, ˈkə-və-\

Definition of COVENANT

1

: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement : compact

2

a : a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action

b : the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract

— cov·e·nan·tal \ˌkə-və-ˈnan-t^əl\ adjective

Examples of COVENANT

1. an international covenant on human rights
2. The restrictive covenants of the building development prohibit the construction of buildings over 30 feet tall.

Origin of COVENANT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of covenir to be fitting, from Latin convenire

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to COVENANT

Synonyms

accord, alliance, compact, convention, treaty, pact

Related Words

entente, entente cordiale; bargain, bond, charter, concord, contract, deal, settlement, understanding; projet

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

²cov·e·nant

verb \-nənt, -ˌnant\

Definition of COVENANT

transitive verb

: to promise by a covenant : pledge

intransitive verb

: to enter into a covenant : contract

Examples of COVENANT

1. <a traditional rule held that a husband could not enter into a covenant with his wife, because that was the equivalent of covenanting with himself>
2. <the home buyers had to covenant that they would restore and keep the house for at least 10 years in exchange for a low mortgage rate>

First Known Use of COVENANT

14th century

Related to COVENANT

Synonyms

bargain, contract, agree

Antonyms

disagree

Related Words

come around, come round; subscribe, underwrite; arrange, settle

Near Antonyms

differ, dissent; cancel, renege, revoke; argue, contest, dispute, object

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with COVENANT

adamant, commandant, complaisant, confidant, confidante, cormorant, corposant, Corybant, dilettante, disenchant, gallivant, hierophant, interplant, pitcher plant, power plant, rubber plant, spider plant, sycophant

covenant

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In the Hebrew scriptures, an agreement or treaty among peoples or nations, but most memorably the promises that God extended to humankind (e.g., the promise to Noah never again to destroy the earth by flood or the promise to Abraham that his descendants would multiply and inherit the land of Israel). God's revelation of the law to Moses on Mount Sinai created a pact between God and Israel known as the Sinai covenant. In Christianity, Jesus' death established a new covenant between God and humanity. Islam holds that the Last Covenant was between God and the Prophet Muhammad.