Etymology Map
Back to all words

Covenant

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a formal agreement

Where does the word "covenant" come from? It comes from Latin convenire, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
convenire
Latin · ancient
"to come together, agree"
'com-', together, plus 'venire', to come
2
Stage 2 of 3
covenant
Old French · medieval
"agreement"
present participle of 'covenir', to agree
3
Stage 3 of 3
covenant
English · 1300s
"agreement"
used for the biblical covenant between God and Israel
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Covenant’s story begins in Latin: convenire meant “to come together, agree.” 'com-', together, plus 'venire', to come. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as covenant. Present participle of 'covenir', to agree. It reached English by 1300s as covenant. Used for the biblical covenant between God and Israel. Today, covenant means a formal agreement.