covenant

/'kʌvinənt/
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covenant

A king and a neighboring queen sign a covenant to ensure peace between their lands.

Definition
  1. Noun:

    • A formal, solemn, and binding agreement or promise: A covenant is a serious and often legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties, where each side makes specific commitments.
    • A formal written contract or deed: In legal contexts, a covenant refers to a specific clause or promise within a formal written contract, such as a property deed.
    • (Theology) A divine promise: In religious contexts, particularly in the Bible, a covenant is a sacred agreement between God and humanity or a specific group, involving mutual promises and obligations.
  2. Verb:

    • To enter into a formal and binding agreement: To make a solemn promise or contract, often in writing.
    • To pledge or promise formally: To bind oneself or another by a covenant.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:

    • The two companies signed a covenant not to compete in the same market.
    • The property deed includes a restrictive covenant about the type of buildings allowed.
    • In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Abraham and his descendants.
  • Verb:

    • The tribes covenanted to support each other in times of war.
    • They covenanted with the developer to complete the project within two years.
Advanced Usage
  • "To be in covenant with": To be bound by a formal agreement with someone.

    • The nations were in covenant with each other for mutual defense.
  • "Breach of covenant": The act of breaking the terms of a formal agreement, which can lead to legal consequences.

    • The landlord sued the tenant for breach of covenant regarding property maintenance.
Variants and Related Words
  • Covenantal (adj): Relating to or of the nature of a covenant.

    • The covenantal relationship between the king and his vassals was complex.
  • Covenantee (n): The person to whom a promise in a covenant is made.

  • Covenantor (n): The person who makes a promise in a covenant.
Synonyms
  • Noun: Pact, treaty, contract, compact, agreement, pledge.
  • Verb: Contract, pledge, promise, agree, undertake.
Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

(Note: "Covenant" is not typically used with particles to form standard phrasal verbs. Its verbal use is more formal and direct.) - Covenant for: To formally promise or agree to provide something. - The donor covenanted for an annual gift to the charity.

Related Idioms
  • Ark of the Covenant: (Biblical) The sacred chest representing God's covenant with the Israelites.
  • Solemn covenant: A particularly serious and binding agreement.
    • The marriage vows are a solemn covenant between two people.
covenant

A king and a neighboring queen sign a covenant to ensure peace between their lands.

Noun
  1. (Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from them in return
  2. a signed written agreement between two or more parties (nations) to perform some action
Verb
  1. enter into a covenant or formal agreement
    • They covenanted with Judas for 30 pieces of silver
    • The nations covenanted to fight terrorism around the world
  2. enter into a covenant