First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
convene
verb con·vene \kən-ˈvēn\
: to come together in a group for a meeting
con·venedcon·ven·ing
Full Definition of CONVENE
intransitive verb
: to come together in a body
transitive verb
1
: to summon before a tribunal
2
: to cause to assemble
— con·ven·er or con·ve·nor \-ˈvē-nər\ noun
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Origin of CONVENE
Middle English, from Medieval Latin convenire, from Latin, to assemble — more at convenient
Related to CONVENE
Synonym Discussion of CONVENE
summon, call, cite, convoke, convene, muster mean to demand the presence of. summon implies the exercise of authority <was summoned to answer charges>. call may be used less formally for summon <called the legislature into special session>. cite implies a summoning to court usually to answer a charge <cited for drunken driving>. convoke implies a summons to assemble for deliberative or legislative purposes <convoked a Vatican council>. convene is somewhat less formal than convoke <convened the students>. muster suggests a calling up of a number of things that form a group in order that they may be exhibited, displayed, or utilized as a whole <mustered the troops>.
CONVENING Defined for Kids
convene
verb con·vene \kən-ˈvēn\
con·venedcon·ven·ing
Definition of CONVENE for Kids
: to come or bring together as an assembly <The legislature convened on Tuesday.> <The teacher convened the class.>
Word Root of CONVENE
The Latin word venīre, meaning “to come,” and its form ventus give us the roots ven and vent. Words from the Latin venīre have something to do with coming. To invent is to come up with a new idea or device that no one has thought of before. To convene is to come together for a purpose. An event is an occasion when many people come together.
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