1continent1 (ˈkɒntɪnənt
)
Definitions
noun
- one of the earth's large land masses (Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, North and South America, and Antarctica)
- that part of the earth's crust that rises above the oceans and is composed of sialic rocks. Including the continental shelves, the continents occupy 30 per cent of the earth's surface
- obsolete
- mainland as opposed to islands
- a continuous extent of land
Alternative Forms
continental (ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəll) adjective ˌcontiˈnentally adverb Word Origin
C16: from the Latin phrase terra continens continuous land, from continēre; see containSynonyms
View thesaurus entry2continent2 (ˈkɒntɪnənt)
Definitions
adjective
- able to control urination and defecation
- exercising self-restraint, esp from sexual activity; chaste
Alternative Forms
ˈcontinence ˈcontinency noun ˈcontinently adverbWord Origin
C14: from Latin continent-, present participle of continēre; see containTranslations
- British English:
continent
A continent is a very large area of land, such as Africa or Asia, that consists of several countries.She loved the African continent.ˈkɒntɪnənt NOUN She loved the African continent.
- Spanish:
continente
nm
- French:
continent
nm
- German:
Kontinent
nm
- Chinese: 大陆 n
- Arabic: قَارَّة n
- Portuguese: continente nm
- Russian: континент nm
- Croatian: kontinent nm
- Czech: kontinent nm
- Danish: kontinent nnt
- Dutch: continent nnt
- Finnish: maanosa n
- Greek: ήπειρος nf
- Italian: continente nm
- Japanese: 大陸 n
- Korean: 대륙 n
- Norwegian: kontinent nnt
- Polish: kontynent nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: continente nm
- European Spanish:
continente
nm
- Swedish: kontinent nutr
- Thai: ทวีป n
- Turkish: kıta n
- Vietnamese: lục địa n
Usage examples
Most of the BEF had already been evacuated from the continent.
, The Lonely Sea (1985)A new ocean will form if, in several million years ' time, the continent splits completely.
New Scientist (2003)Last month, France, Germany, Belgium and Greece went their own way, and the continent will never again be the same.
Globe and Mail (2003)On the continent clubs are free to negotiate more flexible payments - giving them a financial advantage.
Liverpool Daily Post and Echo (2003)An inland sea evidently invaded this part of the early North American continent.
, THE EARTH: An Intimate History (2004)