Forms: 4–6 cou-, covyne, 4–9 cou-, covine, covin, 4–7 cou-, covyn, (4–5 cou-, koueyne, 5 couuyne; Sc. cowyn(e, covyng), 6 covene, 6–7 coven; also in Sc. 5 conwyn(e, 6 convine, -uene, 6–7 conuyne, conueene. [a. OF. covin, couvin, cuvin masc., more usually covine, couvine, -yne, covaine, couvaine, sometimes convine, -vigne fem.:—late L. convenium (in Du Cange, of date 1218, ‘in eodem pacto et convenio’), and its pl. convenia, or fem. sb. of same form; f. convena one who comes together with others, f. convenīre to come together, CONVENE.]
† 1. A number of persons confederate together, a confederacy, company, band. Obs.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 303. Þe erle of Ascetelle, Sir Jon þe Comyn, Badenauh sonne, I telle, & pretty of þer Couyn.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., I. iv. 21. I se þe felonus couines of wikked men abounden in ioie and in gladnes.
1415. Hoccleve, To Sir J. Oldcastle, 21. Fro cristen folk to hethenly couyne.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. xii. 29. A thousand men he led of his convine From Coreite the citie Agyline.
† 2. Private agreement, compact, covenant; often with unfavorable connotation. Obs.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., II. xxxvii. 158. They muste kepe wel that theyre couyne and entreprise be not accused nor knowen.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VII. v. 168. For the maist part of our conuene and band To me sal be to tuiche ȝour kingis hand. Ibid., VIII. i. 9. All Latium assemblit, sone controvit Ane coniuratioun or haisty convyne. Ibid., XII. iii. 101. This convyne and trety.
1565–73. Cooper, Thesaurus, Coitio … Covine or confederacie in doing of any thing.
[1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, xxvi. Such burghers as have covine and alliance with the Highland clans.]
† b. A ‘combination’ or union (not known to the law). Obs.
[1361. Act 34 Edw. III., c. 9. Totes alliances & covignes des Maceons & Carpenters … & sermentz entre eux faites ou affaires, soient desore anientiz & anullez de tout.]
1764. Burn, Poor Laws, 11. All alliances and covins of masons and carpenters … shall be void.
3. A privy agreement between two or more to the prejudice of another; conspiracy, collusion.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IV. 111. I wat nocht … quham with he maid the cowyne.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 139. The treson of Cateline … and the covine Of hem that were of his assent.
1531. Dial. Laws Eng., xxvi. By assent and coven of the partyes he shall make defaulte.
1594. West, 2nd Pt. Symbol., Chancerie, § 36. If thone make a false plea of covin betweene him and the defendant.
1607. Cowell, Interpr., Covine is a deceitful assent or agreement between two or more to the prejudice of another.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), II. 412. From the collusion and covin between the tenant for years and the remote remainder-man.
4. Fraudulent action of any kind to the injury of another; fraud, deceit, treachery. arch.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, IX. 14. Thai tald the king all the covyng [Edin. MS. conwyne] Of Iohn Cwmyne.
1494. Fabyan, Chron., VII. 631. By couyne of the quene, they were all iii. in great daunger.
1514. Fitzherb., Just. Peas (1538), 100. Yf any person do sell in grosse any wynes by fraude or covin contrary to the prises set.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, xviii. 50. Without tromperey or couyn.
1553. Grimalde, Cicero’s Offices (1556), 132. When I demanded of him, what was Covine: he answered, when one thing is pretended, and another done … And this covine was ponnishable by the lawes.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., IX. xii. 111. By the Couen of the French … and the Popes Conniuency.
1710. M. Henry, Comm. Prov. iv. 28. This requires us to pay our just debts without fraud, covin, or delay.
1877. Fraser’s Mag., XVI. 226. Mulcted of my right by thy fraud and covin.
† 5. Secret contrivance or device; secret or privy intent. Obs.
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 952. Sche … knew al is koueyne for ouȝt he kouþe hide.
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 42. For yet was never such covine That couth ordeine a medecine To thing, which God in lawe of kinde Hath set.
c. 1450. Merlin, xix. 306. To discure nought of youre coveyne.
† 6. Internal condition; manner of being. Obs. [Very common in OF.]
c. 1350. Will. Palerne, 3147. I knowe al þe couyne of cuntre how ȝe went.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, V. 301. He sperit the cowyn of the land, And quha the castell had in hand. Ibid., XIII. 122. Lordingis, now luk that ȝhe Worthy and of gud covyne be At this assemble, and hardy.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 1227. Let me wiþ hem speke a þrowe For to wyte wat þay be & hure couyne y-knowe.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. vii. 18. Serchyng alleway the state and couuyne of his aduersaires.
