continent

Meanings

Noun

• Each of the main continuous land-masses on the earth's surface, now generally regarded as seven in number, including their related islands, continental shelves etc.
• A large contiguous landmass considered independent of its islands, peninsulas etc. Specifically, the Old World continent of Europe–Asia–Africa. See the Continent.
• Land (as opposed to the water).

Adjective

• Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or defecation.
• Not interrupted; connected; continuous.
• Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.

Related

Opposite words

• incontinent

Narrower meaning words

• Africa
• America
• Antarctica
• Asia
• Australia
• Europe
• Eurasia
• Gondwana
• Laurasia
• North America
• Oceania
• Pangaea
• South America

Origin

• Borrowed from Latin continēntem, noun use of present participle of contineo.
• From Middle English contynent, from Old French continent, from Latin continentem ("continuous; holding together"), present participle of continēre.