Convent Meaning
/ˈkɒn.vɛnt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA religious community whose members live under strict observation of religious rules and self-imposed vows.
nounThe buildings and pertaining surroundings in which such a community lives.
Sentence Examples
They said she would enter a convent.
Mary lived in a convent for a few months.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The aging cathedral is next to a quiet ____ where nuns still dwell.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They said she would enter a ____.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English convent, variant of covent, from Old French covent, from Latin conventus, perfect participle of the verb convenio (whence ultimately convene), see con- + venio. Doublet of coven.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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):
"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:
"...an usual ceremony at their [the witches'] convents or meetings..."
— 1609, Ben Jonson, The Masque of Queens:
"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), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], line 52:
"We convent nought else but woes"
— 1613–1614, William Shakespeare, John Fletcher, “The Two Noble Kinsmen”, in Comedies and Tragedies […], London: […] Humphrey Robinson, […], and for Humphrey Moseley […], published 1679, →OCLC, (please specify the act number in uppercase Roman numerals, and the scene number in lowercase Roman numerals):
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The aging cathedral is next to a quiet ____ where nuns still dwell.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
They said she would enter a ____.