continental

adjective

1. 1

   Of or relating to a continent or continents.

   continental drift

   Offshore to the west of the continental margin during the Early Triassic, the Sonoma highlands formed a volcanic island arc, separated from the mainland by a shallow sea that cut through western Nevada and northwestern Utah.

   No former king had involved himself so frequently in the labyrinth of continental alliances.

2. 2

   Of the mainland, as opposed to an island offshore.

   continental Europe

   The outline of continental Ireland is proximately that of a rhomboid ; and, in a general view, is greatly more continuous or less indented and undulated by cuts and sweeps of the sea than the outline of continental Great Britain.

3. 3

   Relating to, or characteristic of, continental Europe.

   continental breakfast

   at Monte Carlo or some of the other Continental gambling-hells

4. 4

   historicalOf or relating to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War.

   continental money

noun

1. 1

   Someone from the continent.

   Reflecting on his long career chronicling scientists, J. G. Crowther wondered why it was that in the grand debates over the nature of light, x-rays, and cathode rays, the British opted for particles and the continentals for waves.

2. 2

   historicalA member of the Continental army.

3. 3

   historicalPaper scrip (paper money) issued by the continental congress, largely worthless by the end of the war.

4. 4

   obsoleteThe smallest amount; a whit; a jot.

   not worth a continental

   I don't care a continental!

Forms

plural

continentals

comparative

more continental

superlative

most continental