Part 66

CONTAGION, kon-t[=a]'jun, _n._ transmission of a disease from the sick to the healthy, either by direct contact of a part affected with the disease, or through the medium of the excretions or exhalations of the body.--_n._ CONT[=A]'GIONIST, one who believes that certain diseases are contagious.--_adj._ CONT[=A]'GIOUS, that may be communicated by contact.--_adv._ CONT[=A]'GIOUSLY.--_ns._ CONT[=A]'GIOUSNESS; CONT[=A]'GIUM, the supposed morbific matter by means of which disease spreads.--CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACTS, a series of laws passed in 1865 and succeeding years for the better regulation of prostitutes in certain seaport and military towns. [L. _contagion-em_--_con_, together, _tang[)e]re_, to touch.]

CONTAIN, kon-t[=a]n', _v.t._ to comprise, to include: (_B._) to restrain, esp. the sexual appetite.--_adj._ CONTAIN'ABLE, that may be contained.--_ns._ CONTAIN'ANT, CONTAIN'ER. [Through Fr. from L. _contin[=e]re_--_con_, together, _ten[=e]re_, to hold.]

CONTAMINATE, kon-tam'i-n[=a]t, _v.t._ to defile by touching or mixing with: to pollute: to corrupt: to infect.--_adj._ CONTAM'INABLE.--_n._ CONTAMIN[=A]'TION, pollution.--_adj._ CONTAM'INATIVE. [L. _contamin[=a]re_, _-[=a]tum_--_contamen_ (for _contagmen_), pollution. See CONTACT.]

CONTANGO, kon-tang'go, _n._ a percentage paid by the buyer to the seller of stock for keeping back its delivery to the next settling-day, continuation--opp. to _Backwardation_. [From CONTINUE.]

CONTECK, kon'tek, _n._ (_Spens._). Same as CONTEST. [O. Fr. _contek_, prob. conn. with _contekier_, to touch.]

CONTEMN, kon-tem', _v.t._ to despise: to neglect, to disregard.--_n._ CONTEM'NER. [Fr.,--L. _contemn[)e]re_, _-temptum_, to value little--_con_, inten., _temn[)e]re_, to slight.]

CONTEMPER, kon-temp'[.e]r, _v.t._ to blend together, to qualify by mixture: to adapt to anything.--_ns._ CONTEMPER[=A]'TION (_obs._), CONTEM'PERATURE. [L. _contemper[=a]re_.]

CONTEMPLATE, kon'tem-pl[=a]t, or kon-tem'pl[=a]t, _v.t._ to consider or look at attentively: to meditate on or study: to intend.--_v.i._ to think seriously: to meditate (with _on_, _upon_).--_adj._ CONTEMP'LABLE.--_ns._ CONTEM'PLANT, CONTEMP'LATIST; CONTEMPL[=A]'TION, continued study of a particular subject: a meditation written, or a subject for such.--_adj._ and _n._ CONTEM'PLATIVE, given to contemplation.--_adv._ CONTEM'PLATIVELY.--_ns._ CONTEM'PLATIVENESS; CON'TEMPL[=A]TOR, one who contemplates: a student. [L. _contempl[=a]ri_, _-[=a]tus_, to mark out carefully a _templum_ or place for auguries--_con_, sig. completeness, and _templum_. See CONSIDER and TEMPLE.]

CONTEMPORANEOUS, kon-tem-po-r[=a]'ne-us, _adj._ living, happening, or being at the same time.--_n._ CONTEMPORAN[=E]'ITY (_geol._), does not imply that two systems were precisely synchronous, but merely that each occupies the same relative position in the succession of systems.--_adv._ CONTEMPOR[=A]'NEOUSLY.--_ns._ CONTEMPOR[=A]'NEOUSNESS; CONTEM'PORARINESS.--_adj._ CONTEM'PORARY, contemporaneous, occupying the same period (_with_).--_n._ one who lives at the same time: a rival newspaper or magazine.--_v.t._ CONTEM'PORISE, to make contemporary in mind. [L. _con_, together, and _temporaneus_--_tempus_, time.]

CONTEMPT, kon-tempt', _n._ scorn: disgrace: (_law_) disregard of the rules or an offence against the dignity of a court (with _of_, _for_).--_ns._ CONTEMPTIBIL'ITY, CONTEMPT'IBLENESS.--_adj._ CONTEMPT'IBLE, despicable.--_adv._ CONTEMPT'IBLY.--_adj._ CONTEMPT'UOUS, haughty, scornful.--_adv._ CONTEMPT'UOUSLY.--_n._ CONTEMPT'UOUSNESS. [See CONTEMN.]

CONTEND, kon-tend', _v.i._ to strive: to struggle in emulation or in opposition: to dispute or debate (with _against_, _for_, _with_, _about_): to urge one's course.--_ns._ CONTEND'ENT, CONTEND'ER, one who contends.--_p.adj._ CONTEND'ING, striving.--_n._ CONTEN'TION, a violent straining after any object: strife: debate.--_adj._ CONTEN'TIOUS, quarrelsome.--_adv._ CONTEN'TIOUSLY.--_n._ CONTEN'TIOUSNESS. [L. _contend[)e]re_, _-tentum_--_con_, with, _tend[)e]re_, to stretch.]

CONTENEMENT, kon-ten'[=e]-ment, _n._ land connected with a tenement.

CONTENT, kon-tent', or kon'tent, _n._ that which is contained: the capacity or extent of anything: the substance: (_pl._) the things contained: the list of subjects treated of in a book. [See CONTAIN.]

CONTENT, kon-tent', _adj._ having the desires limited by present enjoyment: satisfied.--_n._ satisfaction--often 'heart's content.'--_interj._ = I am content, agreed!--the formula of assent in the House of Lords.--_v.t._ to make content: to satisfy the mind: to make quiet: to please.--_n._ CONTENT[=A]'TION (_obs._).--_adj._ CONTENT'ED, content.--_adv._ CONTENT'EDLY.--_ns._ CONTENT'EDNESS, CONTENT'MENT.--_adj._ CONTENT'LESS, without content: discontented. [Fr.,--L. _contentus_, contained, hence satisfied--_con_, and _ten[=e]re_, to hold.]

CONTERMINOUS, kon-t[.e]r'min-us, _adj._ having a common boundary: coincident with: co-extensive with in time, substance, &c.--Also CONTER'MINABLE, CONTER'MINAL, CONTER'MINANT, CONTER'MINATE. [L. _conterminus_, neighbouring--_con_, together, and _terminus_, a boundary.]

CONTEST, kon-test', _v.t._ to call in question or make the subject of dispute: to strive for.--_n._ CON'TEST, a struggle for superiority: strife: debate.--_adj._ CONTEST'ABLE.--_ns._ CONTEST'ANT, one who contests; CONTEST[=A]'TION, the act of contesting: contest: strife: emulation.--_p.adj._ CONTEST'ED.--_adv._ CONTEST'INGLY, by contest.--CONTESTED ELECTION, an election for a member of parliament or the like, where more than one competitor offer themselves. [Fr.,--L. _contest[=a]ri_, to call to witness--_con_, and _test[=a]ri_, to be a witness--_testis_, a witness.]

CONTEXT, kon'tekst, _n._ the parts of a discourse or treatise which precede and follow a special passage and fix its true meaning.--_adj._ CONTEXT'UAL--_adv._ CONTEXT'UALLY.--_n._ CONTEXT'URE, the interweaving of parts into a whole: the structure or system of anything: any interwoven fabric: the composition of a writing.--_v.t._ (_Carlyle_) to weave. [L. _contextus_, _contex[)e]re_--_con_, together, _tex[)e]re_, _textum_, to weave.]

CONTICENT, kon'tis-ent, _adj._ (_Thackeray_) silent. [L. _conticent-em_, _con_, and _tac[=e]re_, to be silent.]

CONTIGNATION, kon-tig-n[=a]'shun, _n._ joining together: any structure so joined: a framework or stage. [L. _contignation-em_--_contign[=a]re_--_con_, _tignum_, wood.]

CONTIGUOUS, kon-tig'[=u]-us, _adj._ touching, adjoining: near.--_ns._ CONTIG[=U]'ITY, CONTIG'UOUSNESS.--_adv._ CONTIG'UOUSLY. [L. _contiguus_--_conting[)e]re_, to touch on all sides--_con_, wholly, _tang[)e]re_, to touch.]

CONTINENT, kon'ti-nent, _n._ a large extent of land not broken up by seas: the mainland of Europe: one of the great divisions of the land surface of the globe.--_adj._ restraining the indulgence of pleasure, esp. sexual: temperate: virtuous.--_ns._ CON'TINENCE, CON'TINENCY, the restraint imposed by a person upon his desires and passions: self-restraint in sexual indulgence, often absolute: chastity.--_adj._ CONTINENT'AL, characteristic of a continent, as of climate, &c.: pertaining to the European continent, or to the colonies of North America at the period of independence.--_n._ CONTINENT'ALISM, anything peculiar to the usage of the Continent.--_adv._ CON'TINENTLY.--CONTINENTAL SYSTEM, the name given to Napoleon's plan for shutting out England from all commercial connection with Europe. [L. _continentem_--_contin[=e]re_, to contain--_con_, together, _ten[)e]re_, to hold.]

CONTINGENT, kon-tin'jent, _adj._ dependent on something else: liable but not certain to happen: accidental.--_n._ an event which is liable but not certain to occur: a share or proportion, esp. of soldiers.--_ns._ CONTIN'GENCE, CONTIN'GENCY.--_adv._ CONTIN'GENTLY. [L. _contingent-em_--_con_, _tang[)e]re_, to touch.]

CONTINUE, kon-tin'[=u], _v.t._ to draw out or prolong: to extend or increase in any way: to unite without break: to persist in.--_v.i._ to remain in the same place or state: to last or endure: to persevere.--_adjs._ CONTIN'UABLE, that may be continued; CONTIN'UAL, without interruption: unceasing.--_adv._ CONTIN'UALLY.--_n._ CONTIN'UANCE, duration: uninterrupted succession: stay.--_adjs._ CONTIN'UANT; CONTIN'U[=A]TE, close united: (_Shak._) unbroken.--_ns._ CONTINU[=A]'TION, constant succession: extension; CONTINU[=A]'TION-DAY, the same as CONTANGO-DAY, that on which contangoes are fixed.--_adj._ CONTIN'U[=A]TIVE, continuing.--_n._ CONTIN'U[=A]TOR, one who continues or keeps up a series or succession.--_adj._ CONTIN'UED, uninterrupted: unceasing: extended.--_adv._ CONTIN'UEDLY.--_ns._ CONTIN'UEDNESS; CONTIN'UER, one who continues, or has the power of persevering; CONTIN[=U]'ITY, state of being continuous: uninterrupted connection.--_adj._ CONTIN'UOUS, joined together without interruption.--_adv._ CONTIN'UOUSLY.--_ns._ CONTIN'UOUSNESS; CONTIN'[=U]UM, a continuous thing:--_pl._ CONTIN'UA. [Fr.,--L. _continu[=a]re_--_continuus_, joined, connected, from _contin[=e]re_.]

CONTLINE, kont'l[=i]n, _n._ in the stowage of casks the space between them: the spiral intervals formed between the strands of a rope, by their being twisted together. [Prob. _cant_.]

CONTO, kont'o, _n._ a Portuguese money of account, a million reis = £220.

CONTORNIATE, kon-tor'ni-[=a]t, _n._ a coin or medal with a deep groove round the disc.--_adj._ having this.

CONTORNO, kon-tor'no, _n._ contour or outline. [It.]

CONTORT, kon-tort', _v.t._ to twist or turn violently: to writhe.--_adj._ CONTORT'ED, twisted: folded or twisted back upon itself, as some parts of plants.--_ns._ CONTOR'TION, a violent twisting; CONTOR'TIONIST, a gymnast who practises contorted postures: one who twists words and phrases.--_adj._ CONTORT'IVE, expressing contortion. [L. _con_, inten., and _torqu[=e]re_, _tortum_, to twist.]

CONTOUR, kon't[=oo]r, or kon-t[=oo]r', _n._ the outline: the line which bounds the figure of any object.--_v.t._ to mark with contour lines.--CONTOUR LINES, lines drawn in a map through points all at the same height above sea-level--usually on the British Ordnance Survey maps at intervals of 50 feet. [Fr. _con_, and _tour_, a turning--L. _tornus_--Gr. _tornos_, a lathe.]

CONTRA, kon'tra, _adv._ and _prep._ against, opposite: in front of: to the contrary: a doublet of COUNTER- (_mus._), signifying an octave lower than the typical form, as in _contrabass_, &c. See Appendix.

CONTRABAND, kon'tra-band, _adj._ contrary to law: prohibited.--_n._ illegal traffic: prohibition: prohibited goods.--_ns._ CON'TRABANDISM, trafficking in contraband goods; CON'TRABANDIST, a smuggler.--CONTRABAND OF WAR, a name applied to certain commodities, as military stores, and even coal in an age of war steamers, not to be supplied by neutral to belligerent powers. [Sp. _contrabanda_--It. _contrabbando_--L. _contra_, against, L. L. _bandum_, ban.]

CONTRABASS, kon'tra-b[=a]s, _n._ the double-bass viol, giving the lower octave to the bass in the orchestra.--_adj._ applied to other instruments taking a similar part.--Also CONTRABAS'SO and COUNT'ERBASE.

CONTRACT, kon-trakt', _v.t._ to draw together: to lessen: to shorten: to acquire: to incur: to bargain for: to betroth.--_v.i._ to shrink: to become less.--_n._ CON'TRACT, an agreement on fixed terms: a bond: a betrothment: the writing containing an agreement.--_adj._ CONTRACT'ED, drawn together: narrow: mean.--_adv._ CONTRACT'EDLY.--_ns._ CONTRACT'EDNESS; CONTRACTIBIL'ITY, CONTRACT'IBLENESS.--_adjs._ CONTRACT'IBLE, capable of being contracted; CONTRACT'ILE, tending or having power to contract.--_ns._ CONTRACTIL'ITY; CONTRAC'TION, act of contracting: a word shortened by rejecting a part of it: a symbol for shortening in palæography, &c.--_adj._ CONTRACT'IVE, tending to contract.--_n._ CONTRACT'OR, one of the parties to a bargain or agreement: one who engages to execute work or furnish supplies at a fixed rate.--_adj._ CONTRACT'UAL.--CONTRACT ONE'S SELF OUT OF, to get rid of some general obligation by making a special contract; CONTRACT WORK, work done for a fixed sum estimated beforehand and paid down for the whole job. [L. _contractus_--_con_, together, _trah[)e]re_, to draw.]

CONTRA-DANCE. See COUNTRY-DANCE.

CONTRADICT, kon-tra-dikt', _v.t._ to oppose by words: to assert the contrary: to deny: to be contrary to in character.--_adj._ CONTRADICT'ABLE.--_n._ CONTRADIC'TION, act of contradicting: a speaking against: denial: inconsistency.--_adj._ CONTRADIC'TIOUS.--_advs._ CONTRADIC'TIOUSLY (_rare_), CONTRADIC'TORILY.--_adjs._ CONTRADICT'IVE, CONTRADICT'ORY, affirming the contrary: inconsistent.--_n._ CONTRADICT'ORINESS, the quality of being contradictory, [L. _contradic[)e]re_, _-dictum_.]

CONTRADISTINCTION, kon-tra-dis-tingk'shun, _n._ distinction by contrast.--_adj._ CONTRADISTINCT'IVE, distinguishing by opposite qualities.--_v.t._ CONTRADISTIN'GUISH, to mark the difference between two things by contrasting their different qualities.

CONTRAFISSURE, kon'tra-fish-[=u]r, _n._ (_surg._) a fracture or contusion of the skull at a place opposite that on which the blow was received.

CONTRAHENT, kon'tra-hent, _adj._ entering into a contract.--_n._ a contracting party. [L. _contrahent-em_--_contrah[)e]re_.]

CONTRA-INDICATE, kon'tra-in'di-k[=a]t, _v.t._ of a disease, to show symptoms adverse to a particular treatment.--_ns._ CON'TRA-IN'DICANT, CON'TRA-INDIC[=A]'TION.

CONTRAIRE, kon-tr[=a]r, _adj._ an obsolete form of CONTRARY.

CONTRALATERAL, kon-tra-lat'e-ral, _adj._ occurring on the opposite side.

CONTRALTO, kon-tral't[=o], _n._ the deepest or lowest species of musical voice in boys, in eunuchs, and best of all in women. [See ALTO and COUNTER (1).]

CONTRAPLEX, kon'tra-pleks, _adj._ (_teleg._) having two currents or messages passing in opposite directions at the same time.

CONTRAPOSITION, kon'tra-po-zish'un, _n._ opposition, contrast: (_logic_) an immediate inference, which consists in denying the original subject of the contradictory of the original predicate.--_adj._ CON'TRA-POS'ITIVE.

CONTRAPTION, kon-trap'shun, _n._ (_U.S._) a contrivance.

CONTRAPUNTAL. See COUNTERPOINT.

CONTRA-ROTATION, kon'tra-r[=o]-t[=a]'shun, _n._ rotation in a contrary direction.

CONTRARY, kon'tra-ri, _adj._ opposite: contradictory--CONTRA'RIANT (_rare_).--_n._ a thing that is contrary or of opposite qualities.--_n.pl._ CON'TRARIES, things opposite in quality: (_logic_) propositions which destroy each other.--_n._ CONTRAR[=I]'ETY, opposition: inconsistency.--_adv._ CON'TRARILY.--_n._ CON'TRARINESS.--_adj._ CONTR[=A]'RIOUS, showing contrariety: repugnant: opposite.--_advs._ CONTR[=A]'RIOUSLY, contrarily; CON'TRARIWISE, on the contrary way or side: on the other hand. [L. _contrarius_--_contra_, against.]

CONTRAST, kon-trast', _v.i._ to stand in opposition to.--_v.t._ to set in opposition, in order to show superiority or give effect.--_n._ CON'TRAST, opposition or unlikeness in things compared: exhibition of differences.--_adj._ CONTRAST'IVE. [Fr. _contraster_--L. _contra_, opposite to, _st[=a]re_, to stand.]

CONTRATE, kon'tr[=a]t, _adj._ having cogs or teeth arranged in a manner contrary to the usual one, or projecting parallel to the axis.

CONTRA-TENOR. Same as COUNTER-TENOR (q.v. under COUNTER, 1).

CONTRAVALLATION, kon-tra-val-[=a]'shun, _n._ a fortification built by besiegers about the place invested. [L. _contra_, opposite, _vall[=a]re_, _[=a]tum_, to fortify.]

CONTRAVENE, kon-tra-v[=e]n', _v.t._ to oppose.--_n._ CONTRAVEN'TION, act of contravening: opposition: obstruction. [L. _contra_, against, _ven[=i]re_, to come.]

CONTRAYERVA, kon-tra-y[.e]r'va, _n._ a stimulating and tonic aromatic root of tropical America. [Sp. _contrayerba_--L. _contra_, against, _herba_, a herb.]

CONTRETEMPS, kon-tr-tang', _n._ something happening inopportunely or at the wrong time, anything embarrassing, a hitch. [Fr. _contre_--L. _contra_, against, and Fr. _temps_--L. _tempus_, time.]

CONTRIBUTE, kon-trib'[=u]t, _v.t._ to give along with others: to give for a common purpose: to furnish an article to a newspaper, &c.: to pay a share.--_v.i._ to give or bear a part.--_adj._ CONTRIB'UTARY, paying a share, contributable, subject to contribution.--_n._ CONTRIB[=U]'TION, a collection: a levy or charge imposed upon a people: anything furnished to a common stock: a written composition supplied to a jointly written book, newspaper, &c.--_adjs._ CONTRIB'UTIVE, CONTRIB'UTORY, giving a share: helping.--_n._ CONTRIB'UTOR. [L. _con_, with, _tribu[)e]re_, _-utum_, to give.]

CONTRIST, kon-trist', _v.t._ (_obs._) to sadden.--_n._ CONTRIST[=A]'TION. [Fr.,--L. _contrist[=a]re_--_con_, inten., and _tristis_, sad.]

CONTRITE, kon'tr[=i]t, _adj._ broken-hearted for sin: penitent.--_adv._ CON'TRITELY.--_ns._ CON'TRITENESS; CONTRI'TION, deep sorrow for sin: remorse. [L. _contritus_--_conter-[)e]re_--_con_, wholly, _ter-[)e]re_, to bruise.]

CONTRITURATE, kon-trit'[=u]-r[=a]t, _v.t._ to pulverise together.

CONTRIVE, kon-tr[=i]v', _v.t._ to plan: to invent: to bring about or effect: to plot.--_adj._ CONTRIV'ABLE, that may be contrived.--_ns._ CONTRIV'ANCE, CONTRIVE'MENT, act of contriving: the thing contrived: invention: design: artifice; CONTRIV'ER, a schemer, a manager. [O. Fr. _controver_--_con-_, _trover_, to find--L. _turb[=a]re_, to disturb.]

CONTRIVE, kon-triv', _v.t._ (_obs._) to spend, as time. [L. _conter-[)e]re_, _contritum_, perf. _contr[=i]vi_, to wear out.]

CONTROL, kon-tr[=o]l', _n._ restraint: authority: command.--_v.t._ to check: to restrain: to govern:--_pr.p._ contr[=o]l'ling; _pa.p._ contr[=o]lled'.--Formerly COMPTROLL', COUNTROL', CONTROUL'.--_adj._ CONTROL'LABLE, capable of, or subject to, control.--_ns._ CONTROL'LER, COMPTROL'LER, one who checks the accounts of others by a counter-roll; CONTROL'LERSHIP; CONTROL'MENT, act or power of controlling: state of being controlled: control. [Fr. _contrôle_, from _contre-rôle_, a duplicate register--L. _contra_, against, _rotulus_, a roll.]

CONTROVERT, kon'tro-v[.e]rt, _v.t._ to oppose: to argue against: to refute.--_adj._ CONTROVER'SIAL, relating to controversy.--_n._ CONTROVER'SIALIST, one given to controversy.--_adv._ CONTROVER'SIALLY.--_ns._ CON'TROVERSY, a debate: contest: resistance.--_adj._ CONTROVERT'IBLE.--_adv._ CONTROVERT'IBLY.--_n._ CON'TROVERTIST. [L. _contra_, against, and _vert-[)e]re_, to turn.]

CONTUMACIOUS, kon-t[=u]-m[=a]'shus, _adj._ opposing lawful authority with contempt: obstinate: stubborn.--_adv._ CONTUM[=A]'CIOUSLY.--_ns._ CONTUM[=A]'CIOUSNESS; CON-TUMAC'ITY; CON'TUMACY, obstinate disobedience or resistance. [L. _contumax_, _-acis_, insolent, from _con_, and _tum-[=e]re_, to swell, or _temn-[)e]re_, to despise.]

CONTUMELY, kon't[=u]-mel-i, _n._ rudeness: insolence: reproach.--_adj._ CONTUM[=E]'LIOUS, haughtily reproachful: insolent.--_adv._ CONTUM[=E]'LIOUSLY.--_n._ CONTUM[=E]'LIOUSNESS. [L. _contumelia_, which is prob. from the same source as _contumacy_.]

CONTUND, kon-tund', _v.t._ to bruise or pound.--_v.t._ CONT[=U]SE', to beat or bruise: to crush.--_n._ CONT[=U]'SION, act of bruising; state of being bruised; a bruise.--_adj._ CONT[=U]'SIVE, apt to bruise. [L. _contund[)e]re_, _contusum_--_con_, and _tund[)e]re_, to bruise.]

CONUNDRUM, kon-un'drum, _n._ a sort of riddle containing some odd or fanciful resemblance between things quite unlike: any puzzling question. [Ety. dub.]

CONVALESCE, kon-val-es', _v.i._ to regain health.--_ns._ CONVALES'CENCE, CONVALES'CENCY, gradual recovery of health and strength.--_adj._ CONVALES'CENT, gradually recovering health.--_n._ one recovering health. [L. _con_, and _valesc-[)e]re_--_val-[=e]re_, to be strong.]

CONVALLARIA, kon-va-l[=a]'ri-a, _n._ a genus of _Liliaceæ_, its only species the Lily-of-the-valley. [L. _convallis_, a sheltered valley.]

CONVECTION, kon-vek'shun, _n._ the process of transmission of heat or electricity through liquids or gases by means of currents.--_adj._ CONVEC'TIVE, occasioned by convection. [L.,--_con_, and _veh[)e]re_, to carry.]

CONVENANCE, kong've-nangs, _n._ what is suitable or proper: (_pl._) the conventional usages or social proprieties. [Fr.]

CONVENE, kon-v[=e]n', _v.i._ to come together: to assemble.--_v.t._ to call together.--_adj._ CONV[=E]'NABLE.--_n._ CONVEN'ER, one who convenes a meeting: the chairman of a committee. [Fr.,--L. _conven-[=i]re_, from _con_, together, and _ven[=i]re_, to come.]

CONVENIENT, kon-v[=e]n'yent, _adj._ suitable: handy: commodious.--_adj._ CONVEN'ABLE (_obs._), fitting.--_ns._ CONVEN'IENCE, CONVEN'IENCY, suitableness: an advantage: any particular domestic accommodation, as a closet, &c.--_adv._ CONVEN'IENTLY. [L. _conven[=i]re_.]

CONVENT, kon'vent, _n._ an association of persons secluded from the world and devoted to a religious life: the house in which they live, a monastery or nunnery.--_adj._ CONVENT'UAL, belonging to a convent.--_n._ a monk or nun; a member of one of the two divisions of the Franciscans, following a mitigated rule--the other being the _Observants_. [Through Fr. from L. _convent-um_, _conven[=i]re_, to come together.]

CONVENTICLE, kon-vent'i-kl, _n._ applied in contempt to a meeting for worship of dissenters from the Established Church, applied esp. to the field-preachings of the Presbyterian ministers in the persecutions under Charles II. and James II.: any private, clandestine, or irregular meeting.--_v.i._ to hold such.--_n._ CONVEN'TICLER. [L. _conventiculum_, a secret meeting of monks, dim. of _conventus_.]

CONVENTION, kon-ven'shun, _n._ an assembly, esp. of representatives or delegates for some common object: any extraordinary assembly called upon any special occasion: any temporary treaty: an agreement: established usage: fashion.--_adj._ CONVEN'TIONAL, formed by convention: growing out of tacit agreement or custom: customary: not spontaneous.--_v.t._ CONVEN'TIONALISE.--_ns._ CONVENTIONALISM, that which is established by tacit agreement, as a mode of speech, &c.; CONVEN'TIONALIST, one who adheres to a convention, or is swayed by conventionalism; CONVENTIONAL'ITY, state of being conventional: that which is established by use or custom.--_adv._ CONVEN'TIONALLY.--_adj._ CONVEN'TIONARY, acting under contract.--_ns._ CONVEN'TIONER, CONVEN'TIONIST. [Fr.,--L. _convention-em_. See CONVENE.]

CONVERGE, kon-v[.e]rj', _v.i._ to tend to one point.--_ns._ CONVER'GENCE, CONVER'GENCY, act or quality of tending to one point.--_adjs._ CONVER'GENT, CONVER'GING, tending to one point. [L. _con_, together, and _verg[)e]re_, to bend, to incline.]

CONVERSAZIONE, kon-v[.e]r-sat-se-[=o]'ne, _n._ a meeting for conversation, particularly on literary subjects:--_pl._ CONVERSAZI[=O]'NI (-n[=e]). [It.]

CONVERSE, kon-v[.e]rs', _v.i._ to have intercourse: to talk familiarly.--_n._ CON'VERSE, familiar intercourse: conversation.--_adj._ CONVERS'ABLE, disposed to converse: sociable.--_adv._ CONVERS'ABLY.--_ns._ CON'VERSANCE, CON'VERSANCY, state of being conversant: familiarity.--_adj._ CON'VERSANT, acquainted by study: familiar; (_B._) walking or associating with.--_n._ CONVERS[=A]'TION, intercourse: talk: familiar discourse; (_B._) behaviour or deportment.--_adj._ CONVERS[=A]'TIONAL.--_ns._ CONVERS[=A]'TIONALIST, CONVERS[=A]'TIONIST, one who excels in conversation; CONVERS[=A]'TIONISM, a colloquialism.--_adj._ CONVER'SATIVE, ready to talk. [Fr.,--L. _convers[=a]ri_, to live with--_con_, inten., and _vers[=a]re_, to turn much--_vert[)e]re_, to turn.]