continent
/ˈkɑntɪnənt/
Frequency: 4.07 in modern English
Meaning
noun
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
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.
noun
A 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.
Obsolete
noun
A large connected expanse of something in general.
Example Sentences
- "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; […]"
- "No man is an Iland, intire of it ſelfe; euery man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; […]"
- "The carkas with the streame was carried downe, / But th’head fell backeward on the continent."
- "[…] Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune."
- "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."
Etymology
Origin
- Source language: Latin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈkɑntɪnənt/
- British English: /ˈkɒntɪnənt/