continent
nounadjectivecommon in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ˈkɒntɪnənt//
- United States//ˈkɑntɪnənt//
- United States//ˈkɑnt(ə)nənt//
One of the main contiguous landmasses, separated by water or geological features, on the surface of a planet, sometimes including its continental shelves and the islands on them.
noun
- 1
One of the main contiguous landmasses, separated by water or geological features, on the surface of a planet, sometimes including its continental shelves and the islands on them.
But I should turn mine ears and hear The moanings of the homeless sea, The sound of streams that swift or slow Draw down Æonian hills, and sow The dust of continents to be; […]
- 2
Each of the traditional main regions into which the Earth’s land surface is divided, including both an extent of mainland and various conventionally associated islands, etc; namely, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia/Oceania, North America, South America, and Antarctica.
- 3
obsoleteA large contiguous landmass as opposed to its islands, peninsulas, and so forth; mainland. Also specifically, the Old World continent of Europe–Asia–Africa: see the Continent.
No man is an Iland, intire of it ſelfe; euery man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; […]
- 4
figurativeA large connected expanse of something in general.
- 5
obsoleteAny continuous tract or area of land; country, connected region.
- 6
obsoleteLand (as opposed to the water), dry land.
The carkas with the streame was carried downe, / But th’head fell backeward on the continent.
- 7
obsoleteThe body or mass of a celestial body such as the sun or moon.
- 8
obsoleteContainer, vessel, something that holds or contains something else.
- 9
obsoleteSpace, capacity.
- 10
obsoleteThe principal or essential points of something viewed collectively: sum, summary, substance.
[…] Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin continens, noun use of present participle of continēre (“to contain”).
adjective
- 1
Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one’s bodily needs or passions, especially sex.
Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower.
Their strength was the strength of men geographically beyond temptation: the poverty of Arabia made them simple, continent, enduring.
A celibate himself, he was of the opinion that marriage was something of a concession to human frailty, to save from fornication those who could not be continent, so it was better to marry than to burn with lust.
- 2
Having voluntary control over one’s urination or defecation.
- 3
obsoleteNot interrupted; connected; continuous, whether in time or space.
a continent fever
Affrike and Europe bordering on your land, And continent to your Dominions: […]
The northeast part of Asia is, if not continent with the west side of America, yet certainly it is the least disjoined by sea of all that coast.
- 4
obsoleteServing to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.
There did I ſee that low ſpirited Swaine, [...] hight Coſtard, (Clow[ne]. O mee) ſorted and conſorted contrary to thy eſtabliſhed proclaymed Edict and continent Cannon; Which with, o with, but with this I paſſion to ſay wherewith: / Clo[wne]. With a Wench.
Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower.
- 5
obsoleteContaining or capable of containing.
Etymology
From Middle English contynent, from Old French continent, from Latin continentem (“continuous; holding together”), present participle of continēre (“to contain”).
Forms
- plural
- continents
- comparative
- more continent
- superlative
- most continent
continent · One of the main contiguous landmasses, separated by water or geological features, on the surface of a planet, sometimes including its continental…
Continent · Mainland Europe, as seen from the British Isles.continental · Of or relating to a continent or continents.Continental · Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as…