continent

¹con·ti·nent

adjective \ˈkän-tə-nənt\

Definition of CONTINENT

1

: exercising continence

2

obsolete : restrictive

— con·ti·nent·ly adverb

Examples of CONTINENT

1. Most children are continent by age three.
2. <a religous sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships>

Origin of CONTINENT

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin continent-, continens, from present participle of continēre to hold in — more at contain

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CONTINENT

Synonyms

abstentious, abstinent, abstemious, self-abnegating, self-denying, sober, temperate

Antonyms

self-indulgent

Related Words

ascetic (also ascetical), austere; disciplined, self-controlled, self-disciplined, self-governed

Near Antonyms

gluttonous, greedy, rapacious, voracious; Cyrenaic, hedonistic, self-pleasing, sensual, sybaritic, voluptuous, voluptuary; masturbatory, onanistic

²con·ti·nent

noun \ˈkän-tə-nənt, ˈkänt-nənt\

Definition of CONTINENT

1

archaic : container, confines

2

archaic : epitome

3

: mainland

4

a : one of the six or seven great divisions of land on the globe

b capitalized : the continent of Europe —used with the

Examples of CONTINENT

1. The book provides information on hotels in Britain and on the Continent.
2. <Europe and Asia are sometimes considered together to be one continent.>

Origin of CONTINENT

in senses 1 & 2, from Latin continent-, continens, present participle of continēre, to hold together, contain; in senses 3 & 4, from Latin continent-, continens continuous mass of land, mainland, from continent-, continens, present participle

First Known Use: 1541

Related to CONTINENT

Synonyms

mainland, landmass, main

Related Words

subcontinent, supercontinent

Near Antonyms

island, isle, islet; atoll, barrier reef, cay, coral reef, key; cape, headland, peninsula, promontory

con·ti·nent

adjective \ˈkänt-^ən-ənt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CONTINENT

: exercising continence

—con·ti·nent·ly adverb

continent

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

One of seven large continuous masses of land: Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia (listed in order of size). Europe and Asia are sometimes considered a single continent, Eurasia. The continents vary greatly in size and in ratio of coastline to total area. More than two-thirds of the world's continental land area lies north of the equator, and all the continents except Antarctica are wedge-shaped, wider in the north than in the south. See also continental drift.