convention English · revision 4814

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1420|origins=la conventio}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈven.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|convencioun]], [[bor|frm|convention]] and directly from [[la|conventiō|t=a meeting, assembly; an agreement]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from the past participle of convenīre “to come together, agree”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) formed from [[con-]] and venīre “to come”,^(Etymonline) the source of [[convene]].^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A formal agreement or covenant, and a meeting, originally of princes and rulers: the early 15th century in Etymonline, before 1420 in Barnhart, in Lydgate's Troy Book.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In diplomacy it meant an agreement between states from the mid-15th century, and between opposing commanders from 1780.^(Etymonline) A formal assembly with a common purpose is from the mid-16th century (1552 in the OED),^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and in English history the Convention Parliaments were extraordinary sittings such as that of 1660.^(OED 1989) In America conventions are recorded from the 1720s, and party nominating meetings by 1817.^(Etymonline) The social sense, general agreement on customs and accepted standards, is by 1747, and a rule based on such agreement from 1790;^(Etymonline) its disapproving use, implying artificial behaviour, is by 1847.^(Etymonline) The newer sense of a fan or trade gathering is in Collins and MWU.^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1420 – an agreement.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1552 – a formal assembly.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1747 – general agreement on customs.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1780 – an agreement between commanders.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1817 – a party nominating meeting.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An accepted way of behaving or doing something; a [[custom]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A large formal meeting of people from the same profession, party or interest.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A formal agreement between countries; a [[treaty]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A usual method or style in art or writing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[conventioner]]

+ * [[counterconvention]]

+ * [[miniconvention]]

+ * [[postconvention]]

+ * [[preconvention]]

+ * [[proconvention]]

+ * [[reconvention]]

+ * [[conventional]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[convene]]

+ * [[convent]]

+ * [[convenient]]

+ * [[conventicle]]

+ * [[coven]]

+ * [[covenant]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}