Английский Этимологический словарь - convent

- early 15c., from Anglo-Norm. covent, from O.Fr. convent, from L. conventus "assembly," used in M.L. for "religious house," originally pp. of convenire "come together" (see convene). Not exclusively feminine until 18c. The M.E. form remains in London's Covent Garden district (notorious late 18c. for brothels), so called because it had been the garden of a defunct monastery.