Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Covenant \Cov"e*nant\ (k?v"?-nant), n. [OF. covenant, fr. F. &
   OF. convenir to agree, L. convenire. See {Convene}.]
   1. A mutual agreement of two or more persons or parties, or
      one of the stipulations in such an agreement.

            Then Jonathan and David made a covenant. --1 Sam.
                                                  xviiii. 3.

            Let there be covenants drawn between us. --Shak.

            If we conclude a peace, It shall be with such strict
            and severe covenants As little shall the Frenchmen
            gain thereby.                         --Shak.

   2. (Eccl. Hist.) An agreement made by the Scottish Parliament
      in 1638, and by the English Parliament in 1643, to
      preserve the reformed religion in Scotland, and to
      extirpate popery and prelacy; -- usually called the
      ``Solemn League and Covenant.''

            He [Wharton] was born in the days of the Covenant,
            and was the heir of a covenanted house. --Macaulay.

   3. (Theol.) The promises of God as revealed in the
      Scriptures, conditioned on certain terms on the part of
      man, as obedience, repentance, faith, etc.

            I will establish my covenant between me and thee and
            thy seed after thee in their generations for an
            everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to
            thy seed after thee.                  --Gen. xvii.
                                                  7.

   4. A solemn compact between members of a church to maintain
      its faith, discipline, etc.

   5. (Law)
      (a) An undertaking, on sufficient consideration, in
          writing and under seal, to do or to refrain from some
          act or thing; a contract; a stipulation; also, the
          document or writing containing the terms of agreement.
      (b) A form of action for the violation of a promise or
          contract under seal.

   Syn: Agreement; contract; compact; bargain; arrangement;
        stipulation.

   Usage: {Covenant}, {Contract}, {Compact}, {Stipulation}.
          These words all denote a mutual agreement between two
          parties. Covenant is frequently used in a religious
          sense; as, the covenant of works or of grace; a church
          covenant; the Solemn League and Covenant. Contract is
          the word most used in the business of life. Crabb and
          Taylor are wrong in saying that a contract must always
          be in writing. There are oral and implied contracts as
          well as written ones, and these are equally enforced
          by law. In legal usage, the word covenant has an
          important place as connected with contracts. A compact
          is only a stronger and more solemn contract. The term
          is chiefly applied to political alliances. Thus, the
          old Confederation was a compact between the States.
          Under the present Federal Constitution, no individual
          State can, without consent of Congress, enter into a
          compact with any other State or foreign power. A
          stipulation is one of the articles or provisions of a
          contract.

Covenant \Cov"e*nant\ (k?v"?-n?nt), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Covenanted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Covenanting}.]
   To agree (with); to enter into a formal agreement; to bind
   one's self by contract; to make a stipulation.

         Jupiter covenanted with him, that it should be hot or
         cold, wet or dry, . . . as the tenant should direct.
                                                  --L'Estrange.

         And they covenanted with him for thyrty pieces of
         silver.                                  --Matt. xxvi.
                                                  15.

   Syn: To agree; contract; bargain; stipulate.

Covenant \Cov"e*nant\, v. t.
   To grant or promise by covenant.

         My covenant of peace that I covenanted with you.
                                                  --Wyclif.

Source : WordNet®

covenant
     n 1: a signed written agreement between two or more parties
          (nations) to perform some action [syn: {compact}, {concordat}]
     2: (Bible) an agreement between God and his people in which God
        makes certain promises and requires certain behavior from
        them in return
     v 1: enter into a covenenant
     2: enter into a covenant or formal agreement; "They covenanted
        with Judas for 30 pieces of silver"; "The nations
        covenanted to fight terrorism around the world"