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covenantal

 - 6 dictionary results

cov⋅e⋅nant

  [kuhv-uh-nuhnt]
Use covenantal in a Sentence
–noun
1. an agreement, usually formal, between two or more persons to do or not do something specified.
2. Law. an incidental clause in such an agreement.
3. Ecclesiastical. a solemn agreement between the members of a church to act together in harmony with the precepts of the gospel.
4. (initial capital letter) History/Historical.
a. National Covenant.
b. Solemn League and Covenant.
5. Bible.
a. the conditional promises made to humanity by God, as revealed in Scripture.
b. the agreement between God and the ancient Israelites, in which God promised to protect them if they kept His law and were faithful to Him.
6. Law.
a. a formal agreement of legal validity, esp. one under seal.
b. an early English form of action in suits involving sealed contracts.
7. Covenant of the League of Nations.
–verb (used without object)
8. to enter into a covenant.
–verb (used with object)
9. to promise by covenant; pledge.
10. to stipulate.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < AF, OF, n. use of prp. of covenir < L convenīre to come together, agree; see -ant

Related forms:
cov⋅e⋅nan⋅tal  [kuhv-uh-nan-tl] , adjective

Synonyms:
1. treaty, pact, convention.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To covenantal
cov·e·nant   (kŭv'ə-nənt)   
n.  

  1. A binding agreement; a compact. See Synonyms at bargain.

  2. Law

    1. A formal sealed agreement or contract.

    2. A suit to recover damages for violation of such a contract.

  3. In the Bible, God's promise to the human race.

v.   cov·e·nant·ed, cov·e·nant·ing, cov·e·nants

v.   tr.
To promise by or as if by a covenant.
v.   intr.
To enter into a covenant.

[Middle English, from Old French, from present participle of convenir, to agree; see convene.]
cov'e·nant'al (-nān'tl) adj., cov'e·nant'al·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

covenant

Literally, a contract. In the Bible, an agreement between God and his people, in which God makes promises to his people and, usually, requires certain conduct from them. In the Old Testament, God made agreements with Noah, Abraham, and Moses. To Noah, he promised that he would never again destroy the Earth with a flood. He promised Abraham that he would become the ancestor of a great nation, provided Abraham went to the place God showed him and sealed the covenant by circumcision of all the males of the nation. To Moses, God said that the Israelites would reach the Promised Land but must obey the Mosaic law. In the New Testament, God promised salvation to those who believe in Jesus.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

covenant 
1297, from O.Fr. covenant "agreement," originally prp. of covenir "agree, meet," from L. convenire "come together" (see convene). Applied in Scripture to God's arrangements with man, as a translation of L. testamentum, Gk. diatheke, both rendering Heb. berith (though testament is also used for the same word in different places). Covenanter (1638), especially used of Scottish Presbyterians who signed the Solemn League and Covenant (1643) for the defense and furtherance of their cause.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Financial Dictionary

covenant

A clause in a loan agreement written to protect the lender's claim by keeping the borrower's financial position approximately the same as it was at the time the loan agreement was made. Essentially, covenants spell out what the borrower may do and must do in order to satisfy the terms of the loan. For example, the borrower may be prohibited from issuing more debt by using certain assets as collateral. Likewise, the borrower may be required to issue reports to bondholders on certain dates. Also called protective covenant, restrictive covenant. See also negative covenant, positive covenant.

Case Study

In February 2002 Qwest Communications issued a warning that the company was in danger of violating a bank loan covenant by the end of June. A major slump in the telecom business combined with heavy indebtedness caused concern that the firm's debt would exceed the specified maximum of 3.75 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. A month later the company announced that in return for agreeing to use $608 million from a $1.5 billion bond issue to reduce bank debt, the bankers agreed to a concession that raised the covenant maximum to 4.25 until the end of September, and 4.00 during the following six months. The covenant had been included as part of the original bank loan agreement in order to help insure that Qwest could continue to meet its existing obligations before taking on additional debt.

Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms by David L. Scott.
Copyright © 2003. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: cov·e·nant
Pronunciation: 'k&-v&-n&nt
Function: noun
1 : an official agreement or compact covenant on human rights>
2 a : a contract in its entirety or a promise within a contract for the performance or nonperformance of a particular act covenant not to sue>; specifically : a promise relating to the transfer, possession, or ownership of real property —see also COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE, RESTRICTIVE COVENANT b : a warranty in a deed assuring the grantee esp. against defects in title covenant for quiet enjoyment> —see also RUN
3 : a common-law action to recover damages for breach of a contract under seal —compare ASSUMPSIT, DEBT —covenant verb
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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