▪ I. † convenable, a.1 Obs.
(ˈkɒnvɪnəb(ə)l)
[a. F. convenable, OF. also covenable, f. stem of conven-ir, conven-ant to meet, to agree (:—L. convenīre to convene): see -able, -ble. Cf. Pr. convenable, convenhable. The earlier form was covenable, whence also the early variants comenable, conable. But convenable gradually became the established form in French, and is found in Eng. beside covenable down to the 17th c. Johnson (1755) says ‘Not now in use’.]
1. Agreeing with circumstances or requirements; suitable, appropriate, proper, meet, becoming.
| c 1386 Chaucer Pars. T. ¶243 (Harl. MS. 7334) Whiche [thynges] ben conuenable [4 MSS. couenable, Petw. conable, Cambr. 603 nede] to verray confessioun. 1414 Brampton Penit. Ps. lxx. 27 That mannys lyvyng be convenable, And redy unto thi servyse,—That is all thi coveytise. 1579 J. Stubbes Gaping Gulf E j, Let vs then see whether this prince be a conuenable mariage in regard of her priuate person. 1641 Termes de la Ley 230 Where the Lord profereth convenable marriage to his ward. 1659 Macallo Canons Physick 75 By reason of the convenable quality and reasonable quantity. 1815 F. Burney Lett. 25 June, As the superior officer..in active service for Louis XVIII, [he is] forced to innumerable convenable expenses. |
2. Agreeing with each other; consistent, congruous; in agreement.
| c 1450 Merlin 59 This place that was voyde at the table of Ioseph be-tokeneth the place that Matheu fulfilde; and, sir, thus be these two tables convenable. 1579 Spenser Sheph. Cal. Sept. 175 With his word his work is convenable. |
3. Suitable to the purpose or requirements of any one; convenient.
| 1421 in Rymer Foedera (1710) X. 463 In such place, as were most convenable unto the said King of Romans. 1491 Act 7 Hen. VII, c. 22 Preamb., The convenable tyme of helpe is comme. c 1534 tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (Camden) I. 81 Nothinge seemed more convenable to the Brittons than to encompasse their enemies on their backes. 1548 Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. Mark iv. 31 The playnest manour of teachyng and moste conuenable. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 278 A convenable aliment for the particular parts. 1641 Prynne Antip. 278 The convenable season of the imploying of the good lent was passed. |
▪ II. convenable, a.2
(kənˈviːnəb(ə)l)
[f. convene v. + -able.]
Capable of being convened.
| 1755 Johnson, Convenable, that may be convened. 1862 Ansted Channel Isl. iv. xxiii. 529 The States of Jersey are not convenable without the consent of the Governor. |