convenientadj.n.
/kənˈviːnɪənt/, U.S. /kənˈvinjənt/ A. adj.† 1. Agreeing (in opinion); in accord. Obsolete.† 2. Accordant, congruous, consonant (to). Obsolete.† 3. † b. Of befitting size or extent; commensurate, proportionate (to). Obsolete.† 4. Suitable, appropriate.† b. Suitable to the conditions or circumstances; befitting the case; appropriate, proper, due. Obsolete.† c. Of time: Due, proper. Obsolete.† 5. Morally or ethically suitable or becoming; proper. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1485 Sc. Acts Jas. III (1814) 178 (Jam.) Sa that..the princez that suld be the partj, be greable and convenient.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > [adjective]
samtalec1175
samentalea1300
accordingc1300
accordantc1350
covenablec1384
concordable1393
accorda1413
suant1418
consonant1489
convenablea1500
concordant1512
semblable1513
convenient1526
modulatec1530
harmonical1531
harmoniacal1536
agreeable1540
concurrent1542
suitable1568
concinne1569
harmonial1569
sympathical1570
tunable1573
coherenta1575
conspiring1576
well-consenting1579
well-consorted1583
congruous1599
high-tuned1603
symbolizing1611
unjarring1620
concording1627
congruenta1637
harmonious1638
friendlya1641
unclashing1642
complying1646
symphoniacal1650
consistent1651
consentaneous1652
consentivea1657
symbolical1667
concordiousa1670
sympathetic1673
congenerous1677
symbolizant1685
congenial1693
symphonious1743
harmonic1756
concentual1782
undiscordant1819
concordial1822
attuned1833
connate1836
sympathetical1848
concentuous1850
consenting1858
consilient1867
tuned in1958
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection ii. sig. Ni Eche of these peticions be conuenient & agreyng to some gyft of the holy goste.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. Pref. To our office mair conuenient and consonant.
1654 T. Burton Diary (1828) I. 55 It may seem not altogether so equitable and convenient to reason.
a. Agreeing with or consonant to the nature or character of; in accordance with; in keeping with; befitting, becoming (to or for a thing or person).
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > [adjective] > specific with or to something
accordable1386
convenientc1400
agreeablea1450
to be standing withc1487
consonanta1492
consowningc1503
correspondenta1533
quadrant1536
constant1574
suitablea1586
uniforma1586
congruous1599
responsible1600
consentaneous1621
sympathizinga1627
consistible1642
consistent1646
consentany1648
consonate1649
quadratea1657
consonous1660
consentient1661
of a piece with1665
symmetrious1667
unison1675
consisting1700
one with ——a1848
congruent1875
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) xi. 230 It is convenyent to a god, to ete no mete.
c1450 Crt. of Love 786 Her nose directed straight..With form and shape thereto convenient.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 6 The best kynd of lyfe & most convenyent to the nature of man.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes f. 144 Of apparell and of demeanure nothyng comely ne conueniente for one that should bee a manne.
1631 J. Weever Anc. Funerall Monuments 250 Interred in..a place of Saint Maries Church conuenient for so worthy a person.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > that is in due proportion or proportionate > proportionate to
in (also for, of, with) proportiona1393
convenientc1405
affeiring1536
measurable1541
equivalent1575
commensurable1645
commoderate1650
correspondenta1656
commensurate1657
commeasurable1658
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Franklin's Tale (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 570 Hise proporcionels conuenientz For hise equacions in euery thyng.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball v. xxiv. 581 The roote is long, and of a convenient thicknesse.
1588 A. King tr. P. Canisius Cathechisme or Schort Instr. 186 b The rewarde of æternal lyf conuenient to the merit.
a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. i. 3 Sutable at least in a convenient degree to the worth of the Faculty.
a. to or for a purpose, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective]
i-tasea1000
queemlOE
gainc1330
conablea1340
convenientc1374
covenablec1380
convenable1421
conveniable1432
comenablea1500
commodious1541
necessary1541
commode1549
commoditious1574
dexterous1605
commoditous1621
friendly1713
clever1757
convenience1961
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective]
goodeOE
rightOE
queemlOE
belonglOE
behovingc1175
limplyc1200
tidefula1300
avenantc1300
mackc1330
worthy1340
hemea1350
convenientc1374
seemlya1375
shapelyc1374
ablea1382
cordant1382
meetc1385
accordable1386
accordinga1387
appurtenantc1386
pertinentc1390
accordanta1393
likea1393
setea1400
throa1400
agreeablec1425
habilec1425
suitly1426
competentc1430
suiting1431
fitc1440
proportionablec1443
justc1450
congruent?a1475
cordinga1475
congruec1475
afferant1480
belonging1483
cordable1485
hovable1508
attainanta1513
accommodate1525
agreeing1533
respondent1533
opportunate?1541
appropriate1544
commode1549
familiar1553
apt1563
pliant1565
liable1570
sortly1570
competible1586
sortable1586
fitty1589
accommodable1592
congruable1603
affining1606
feated1606
suity1607
reputable1611
suited1613
idoneousa1615
matchable1614
suitablea1616
congruous1631
fitten1642
responsal1647
appropriated1651
adapt1658
mack-like1672
squared1698
homogeneous1708
applicable1711
unforeign1718
fitted1736
congenial1738
assorted1790
accommodatable1874
OK1925
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. iii. xi. 97 Nature yeueth to euery thing þat þat is conuenient to hym.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Henry VI f. cxxiiij A place moste mete and conuenient for to abide battaill.
1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iv. f. 184v Shutte them [sc. bees] vp with foode conuenient for them.
1600 W. Shakespeare Midsummer Night's Dream iii. i. 2 Heres a maruailes conuenient place, for our rehearsall. View more context for this quotation
1611 Bible (King James) Prov. xxx. 8.
1680 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. x. 177 Pieces of Wood, of a Substance convenient to the light or heavy work they intend to Turn.
1790 A. M. Johnson Monmouth I. 186 [A place] convenient to the purpose of holding our secret consultations.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > fitting or proper
methelyeOE
ylikeeOE
fairOE
i-meteOE
rightOE
becomelyc1175
proper?c1225
featc1325
conablea1340
rightful1340
worthyc1350
pursuanda1375
covenable1382
dignec1385
convenablec1386
thriftyc1386
sittingc1390
comenablea1400
gainlya1400
meeta1400
wortha1400
convenientc1400
meetlya1425
suinga1425
fitc1440
tallc1440
worthyc1450
good1477
dueful?a1527
beseeminga1530
fitting1535
straighta1538
decent1539
answerable1542
becoming1565
condecent1575
becomed1599
respective1605
befittinga1612
comely1617
decorous1664
shape-like1672
beseemly1737
farrantly?1748
fitly1840
in order1850
c1400 ( G. Chaucer Treat. Astrolabe (Cambr. Dd.3.53) (1872) ii. §4. 18 Wher-fore me semeth conuenient..to make of it special declaracioun.
1530 Myroure Oure Ladye (Fawkes) (1873) i. 20 Sett in trew and conuenyente termes, wythout erroure or darkenes.
1547 Act 1 Edw. VI c. 3 §16 To punish..with chaining, beating, or otherwise, as shall seeme to them conuenient.
a1593 H. Smith Serm. (1866) II. 139 It was convenient Christ should visit sinners for their speedy conversion.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 59 Put them into a convenient quantity of the best butter.
1670 Duke of Richmond Let. 11 Feb. in A. Marvell Wks. (1875) II. 299 I thought convenient to advise you, that I intend to prosecute this businesse.
1678 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises I. vi. 104 When the peece Q is set to its convenient heighth.
1741 J. Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 309 Many were destitute of convenient clothing.
ΘΚΠ
the world > time > a suitable time or opportunity > [adjective]
timelyOE
tidefula1300
tidya1375
duea1387
timefula1400
seasonablec1412
convenient1415
opportunec1425
seasonedc1440
tempestivous1574
timed1592
ripe1595
well-timed1604
opportuneful1605
mature1608
advantageous1609
opportunous1609
punctual1611
tempestive1611
timeousa1626
time-serving1627
timed1656
tidive?17..
1415 in York Myst. Introd. (1885) 34 And that euery player..be redy in his pagiaunt at convenyant time.
1548 H. Latimer Notable Serm. sig. A.viv So..he must at all tymes conuenient preache dyligentlye.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. i. iii. f. 10 I sal gif ȝow rayne in tyme conuenient.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective]
goodOE
proper?c1225
felea1250
featc1325
seeming1338
rightful1340
thriftyc1386
sittingc1390
duea1393
truea1398
goodly1398
convenienta1400
wella1400
seemc1400
likelyc1425
fitc1440
tallc1440
befalling1542
fittinga1616
a1400 Cov. Myst. (Shaks. Soc.) 149 It is not convenient a man to be Ther women gon in travalynge.
1497 J. Alcock Mons Perfeccionis (de Worde) D iij b All other of theym lyved in a conuenyent chastyte.
1511–12 Act 3 Hen. VIII c. 23 §5 It is not convenient nor standing with good and indifferent ordre that the said sir Robert shuld be Auditour and Juge of hymself.
1611 Bible (King James) Eph. v. 4 Neither filthinesse, nor foolish talking, nor iesting, which are not conuenient . View more context for this quotation
1684 tr. H. C. Agrippa Vanity Arts & Sci. (new ed.) xviii. 62 She sang and danc'd more exquisitely than was convenient for an honest woman.
1726 J. Swift Gulliver I. i. iv. 75 And which is the convenient End, seems..to be left to every Man's Conscience.
6. Personally suitable or well-adapted to one's easy action or performance of functions; favourable to one's comfort, easy condition, or the saving of trouble; commodious. (The current sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > advantage > convenience > [adjective] > personally convenient
convenient1477
1477 Earl Rivers tr. Dictes or Sayengis Philosophhres (Caxton) (1877) lf. 1v Take therwith gretter acqueyntaunce at som other conuenyent tyme.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms lxxiv. 2 When I maye get a convenient tyme I shall iudge accordinge vnto righte.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. ccxlvij And so by conuenient iorneys came to the towne of Edenborough.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 57 Delve of convenient Depth your thrashing Floor. View more context for this quotation
1721 in Colonial Rec. Pennsylvania (1852) III. 120 To come with all convenient speed.
1732 G. Berkeley Alciphron I. i. i. 3 A convenient House with a hundred Acres of Land.
1749 Acct. Voy. for Discov. North-west Passage II. 277 It would be very ill convenient to his Men, to be out all Night in the Frost, upon a cold Beach.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth vii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 188 A very convenient arrangement for mutual support.
1868 E. A. Freeman Hist. Norman Conquest (1876) II. viii. 205 It had once been convenient to forget, it was now equally convenient to remember.
7. colloquial and dialect.
a. Within easy reach; easily accessible; ‘handy’.
ΚΠ
1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lii. 464 Heretics used to be brought thither convenient for burning hard by.
b. Conveniently near; near in place or time to. (Ireland and U.S.)
ΚΠ
1849 Polk cited in J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms
1865 Dublin Evening Mail Feb. It was convenient to five o'clock when I got home.
1880 W. H. Patterson Gloss. Words Antrim & Down Convenient, near. ‘His house is convenient to the church’.
1883 Daily News 22 Jan. (Dublin Conspiracy) At the College rail, convenient to Clarendon's Riding School.
8. Formerly often compared by -er, -est.
ΚΠ
1647 N. Nye Art of Gunnery ii. 37 If you finde it more convenienter to use the plumb line then the Index.
1669 S. Sturmy Mariners Mag. iv. 201 Although it is the neerest way, it is not the convenientest way for Seamen.
1741 S. Richardson Pamela III. i. 2 He will have larger Panes of Glass, and convenienter Casements.
B. n.† 1. ? Agreement, accord. Obsolete.† 2. plural. ? Proprieties; formalities. Obsolete.† 3. A mistress, concubine. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) ii. x. 37 The joynture and conuenyente of domes of god.
1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomew de Glanville De Proprietatibus Rerum (1495) viii. xxviii. 340 A body that is blysful and a nother that is not blysfull maye be togyders in the same stede and place wythout conuenyent.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > good behaviour > [noun] > seemly behaviour or propriety > an) act(s) or requirement(s) of
decorum1603
convenientsa1657
decencies1667
the proprieties1767
respectabilities1809
the conventionalities1854
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry V cccxlvii, in Poems (1878) IV. 187 A Prince is Synew-Shrunke, And Crampt, betwixt a Title, to keepe warme And Cold Convenients.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [noun] > illicit intimacy > person > a mistress
chevesea700
wifeOE
bed-sister1297
concubine1297
leman1297
file1303
speciala1400
womanc1400
chamberer?a1425
mistress?a1439
cousin1470
doxy?1515
doll1560
pinnacea1568
nobsya1575
lier-by1583
sweetheart1589
she-friend1600
miss1606
underput1607
concupy1609
lig-by1610
factoress1611
leveret1617
night-piece1621
belly-piece1632
dolly1648
lie-bya1656
madamc1660
small girl1671
natural1674
convenient1676
lady of the lake1678
pure1688
tackle1688
sultana1703
kind girl1712
bosom-slave1728
pop1785
chère amie1792
fancy-woman1819
hetaera1820
fancy-piece1821
poplolly1821
secondary wife1847
other woman1855
fancy-girl1892
querida1902
wifelet1983
1676 G. Etherege Man of Mode iii. iii. 51 Dorimant's convenient, Madam Loveit.
1688 T. Shadwell Squire of Alsatia ii. i. 32 But where's your Lady, Captain, and the Blowing, that is to be my Natural, my Convenient, my Pure.
1708 P. A. Motteux Wks. F. Rabelais (1737) V. 217 Concubines, Convenients, Cracks.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online March 2021).
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adj.n.c1374