late 14c., "having frequent or customary intercourse," also "acquainted by familiar use or study," from Old French conversant "familiar" (with), present-participle adjective from converser "to talk" (12c.), from Latin conversari "to live with, keep company with," literally "turn about with," from assimilated form of com "with, together" (see con-) + versare, frequentative of vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend").
