Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
COVENANT
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from present participle of covenir to be fitting, from Latin convenire
Date: 14th century
a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreement ; compact ,
2. a written agreement or promise usually under seal between two or more parties especially for the performance of some action, the common-law action to recover damages for breach of such a contract, covenantal adjective
II. verb
Date: 14th century
transitive verb to promise by a covenant ; pledge , intransitive verb to enter into a covenant ; contract