Obs. [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. Mad. D’Arblay, Lett., 25 June. As the superior officer at Trèves, 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. trans. 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. 3. 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.
