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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Convent, n. Also: conwent. [OF. convent, L. conventum. Cf. Covent n.]

1. A company of monks, friars, or nuns, living together in a religious house.(a) 1389 Facs. Nat. MSS. II. 41.
The religious men the Abbot and the Conuent of Meuros 1439 Edinb. Chart. 64.
Patrike … abbot of Halyrudhouse and the conuent off that ilke 1459 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 59.
We Malcom, abbot of Arbroth and conuent of the samen, religios men infefte in donatioun of landis and kyrkys [etc.] a1500 Rauf C. 344.
The gentill bischop Turpine cummand thay se, With threttie conuent of preistis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 29.
Sum causless clekis till him ane cowll, Ane gryt convent fra syne to tys 1508 Reg. Cupar A. I. 277.
Wilȝam, abbot, and conuent of Coupir, ratefeis and apprewis the said assedacione 1562 Ib. 362.
To the convent extending to nynteine bretherene, for ane part of thair sustentatioun 1584 Reg. Privy C. III. 697.
The conventis portionis of all abbacyis, pryoreis and nunereis within this realmeattrib. 1533 Boece vi. xii. 210.
It is haldin this is the samyn fare kirk ȝit standing in the convent ȝarde(b) 1470 Wemyss Chart. 97.
Supprior and conwent of the Cathederaile kirk of Sanctandrois 1500 Reg. Episc. Brech. I. 218.
The conwent … of Cisterce ordir in the diocy of Sanctandrois Ib. 219.
The said abbot and conwent 1552 Holyrood Chart. 157.
Commendatour of the abbay of Halliruydhous … and the conwent of the samyn cheptarlie gadderit

b. A combination or union of persons. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 58.
O strang tirrand, tratour attressonable, conwent of all contagious company 1603 Philotus cxiii.
O blisfull Deitie diuyne, Maist happie conuent, court and tryne

2. A religious house. 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 151.
The convent and place quhare God suld be daylie honourit and servit gais clene to rewyne