coven
noun/ˈkʌv.ən/
Etymology From Middle English covent, from Anglo-Norman covent, cuvent, from Old French covent, from Latin conventum, from conveniō, from cum (“with”) and venio (“to come”). Doublet of convent.
1
A nunnery, a convent.
2
Obsolete A confederacy or band of people.
3
A formal group or assembly of witches.
- A coven of witches is traditionally composed of thirteen members of either sex, with one of them acting as officer or priest.1965, Attila Zohar, Kings Cross Black Magic, Sydney: Horwitz Publications, page 71:
4
In fantasy fiction, a family, group or assembly of vampires.
5
A clique that shares common interests or activities.
- “This is a very African area”, he said as they maneuvered their way among the covens of menacing children gathered in the halls.1986, David Leavitt, The Lost Language of Cranes (paperback), Penguin, page 12:
- Derived terms
- covener, covenstead, covendom