Etymology Map
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Convent

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a community of nuns

Where does the word "convent" come from? It comes from Latin conventus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
conventus
Latin · ancient
"assembly"
from 'convenire', to come together
2
Stage 2 of 3
covent
Old French · medieval
"religious community"
London's Covent Garden was a convent garden
3
Stage 3 of 3
convent
English · 1200s
"monastery"
narrowed to communities of nuns in the 1700s
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Read the full story

Convent’s story begins in Latin: conventus meant “assembly.” From 'convenire', to come together. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as covent. London's Covent Garden was a convent garden. It reached English by 1200s as convent. Narrowed to communities of nuns in the 1700s. Today, convent means a community of nuns.