a. and sb. Obs. Forms: 4–5 au- avenant, -aunt(e, 4 auinant. North. 4–5 avenand, -aund, -ond(e, awenand, (auonand). [a. OF. avenant, pr. pple. of avenir to arrive, happen, succeed, to suit, befit, become:—L. advenīre, f. ad- to + venīre to come.]
A. adj.
1. Convenient, suitable, agreeable.
c. 1300. K. Alis., 6333. They no haveth camayle, no olifaunt, No kow, no hors avenaunt.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 41. Tharfor me thynk maist awenand To withdraw ws.
c. 1440. Morte Arth., 2627. Aketouns avenaunt for Arthur hym selfene.
b. with inf. Fit, able to. Cf. OF. avenant à.
c. 1400. Octouian, 923. No dosyper nas so avenaunt To stonde hys strok.
2. Handsome, comely, graceful; pleasant.
c. 1340. Richard Rolle of Hampole, Prick of Conscience, 5020. Þair bodys sal be semely With avenand lymes.
a. 1440. Sir Degrev., 1309. ‘Syre duke avenaunt I pray the hold couvenaunt.’
1481. Caxton, Myrr., I. xiv. 45. A lytil man is ofte wel made and auenaunt.
B. sb. That which suits one; convenience, purpose. At or to one’s avenant: at one’s convenience or pleasure, as suits one.
c. 1400. Ywaine & Gaw., 3174. He said, That war noght mine avenant.
a. 1440. Sir Degrev., 370. One the morow sire Degrevvant Dyght him at is avennaunt.
