Etymologically
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conveniens

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Forms

conveniēns (genitive convenientis; comparative convenientior, superlative convenientissimus); third-declension one-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is the present participle of conveniō (“to come together; to agree, suit”), used as an adjective.[1][2][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first author is Lucretius.[4]

Semantic evolution

In Classical Latin it meant fitting or suited to something, usually with a dative: Livy has a speech suited to the occasion, Ovid a remedy not suited to everyone.[1] Cicero applies it to the harmonious, consistent motion of the stars and calls one part of equity conveniens, the part based on agreement, beside law and long custom.[1] Ovid also uses it of a person, agreeable, compliant.[1]

Ecclesiastical Latin kept it in the sense “agreeing, coming together”.[5] English borrowed it in the late 14th century as convenient, at first “fit, suitable, proper”.[3]

Timeline

  • 96–55 BC – Lucretius uses it.[4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of consistent motion and of equity based on agreement.[1][4]
  • 43 BC–18 AD – Ovid uses it of a compliant woman.[1][4]
  • late 14th century – Borrowed into English as convenient.[3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Appropriate, fitting, suitable (to something).[1][2]
  2. Internally consistent, harmonious.[1]
  3. Based on agreement, agreed, conventional.[1]
  4. Agreeable, compliant.[1]
  5. (Ecclesiastical Latin) Agreeing, coming together.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  2. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson