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英语中表达契约的用语有：covenant， indenture， deed和compact.它们含义有无区别呢。
在Black的“Law Dictionary”中，covenant是指：Agreement， convention or promise or more parties， by deed in writing， signed， and delivered， by which either of the parties pledged himself to the other that something is either done， or shall be done， or shall not be done， or stipulates for the truth of certain facts. The term is currently used primarily with respect to promises in conveyance or other instruments relating to real estate.看来covenant主要指针对不动产转让或与不动产相关的证明文件。
在Black的“Law Dictionary”中，indenture 是指：A deed between tow parties conveying real estate by which both parities assume obligations， Historically， indenture referred to a crease or wavy cut that was made in duplicates of the deed so their authenticity could be verified later.看来indenture针对的也是不动产转让，但在传统做法中为证明其真实性，被人一撕为二，留下折痕或波纹状撕痕，以供未来核对的那种契约就叫indenture.在Black的“Law Dictionary”中，deed是指：A conveyance of realty; a writing signed by grantor， whereby title to realty is transferred from one to another; a written instrument， sighed and delivered ， by which one person conveys land， tenements， or hereditaments to another. 看来indenture针对的还是不动产的产权转让，指的是经签字和转移的一方向另一方出让土地、租房或遗产的书面协议。历史的房契指的就是deed.
在Black的“Law Dictionary”中，compact是指：An agreement or contact between persons， nations or states. Commonly applied to working agreements between and among states concerning matters of mutual concern.看来compact是指人、国家、州之间订立的协议、协定或合同，主要指国家间就共同关心的问题在达成的协议，也指当事人之间独立而特别设定的能够并可实施权力和义务的合同。和covenant，indenture和deed不同的是，compact一词不主要针对不动产，而指国家间的协定。