convent

Noun

convent (plural convents)

1. A religious community whose members live under strict observation of religious rules and self-imposed vows.
   • Near-synonym: abbey
   • My God! It's enough to drive a girl into a convent! Do they have Jewish nuns?1972, Jay Presson Allen, Cabaret, spoken by Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli)

   Synonyms:

   abbey

2. The buildings and pertaining surroundings in which such a community lives.
   • One seldom finds in Italy a spot of ground more agreeable than ordinary that is not covered with a convent.1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC
   1. (especially) Synonym of nunnery, a female religious community and its residence.
3. (India) A Christian school.
4. A gathering of people lasting several days for the purpose of discussing or working on topics previously selected.
5. A coming together; a meeting.
   • ...an usual ceremony at their [the witches'] convents or meetings...1609, Ben Jonson, The Masque of Queens

Verb

IPA/kənˈvɛnt/

convent (third-person singular simple present convents, present participle conventing, simple past and past participle convented)

1. (obsolete) To call before a judge or judicature; to summon; to convene.
   • Tomorrow morning to the Council board
     He be convented.1613 (date written), William Shakespeare, [John Fletcher], “The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eight”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio)...
2. (obsolete) To meet together; to concur.
   • We convent nought else but woes1613–1614, William Shakespeare, John Fletcher, “The Two Noble Kinsmen”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please...
3. (obsolete) To be convenient; to serve.
   • When that is known and golden time convents.c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

Proper noun capitalized: Convent

Convent

1. A census-designated place, the parish seat of St. James Parish, Louisiana, United States.