continent

/'kɔntinənt/

Definition

Noun:
- One of the Earth's major continuous expanses of land: A continent is one of several very large landmasses on Earth, generally identified by convention rather than any strict criteria. The seven continents are Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America.
- (Often the Continent) The mainland of Europe: Used especially from the perspective of the British Isles to refer to the mainland of Europe.
Adjective:
- Exercising self-restraint, especially from sexual activity: Characterized by abstinence, particularly in a sexual context.
- Able to control one's bladder and bowels: Used in medical or formal contexts to describe a person who is not incontinent.

Examples of Usage

Noun:
- Africa is the second-largest continent.
- The expedition aimed to cross the frozen continent of Antarctica.
- They took a ferry from England to the Continent for their holiday.
Adjective:
- He led a continent life, devoted to his studies.
- After the surgery, the patient was once again continent.

Advanced Usage

"The Dark Continent": A dated and now generally considered offensive term historically used for Africa.
"Continental breakfast": A light breakfast typically consisting of coffee, juice, and pastries, as opposed to a full cooked breakfast. This term originates from the European custom.
"Continental divide": A drainage divide on a continent separating river systems that flow into different oceans or seas (e.g., the Great Divide in North America).

Variants and Related Words

Continental (adj): Relating to or characteristic of a continent.
- The continental climate has hot summers and cold winters.
Continental (n, informal): An inhabitant of mainland Europe, especially from a British perspective.
Supercontinent (n): A large landmass comprising more than one continental core, such as Pangaea.
Subcontinent (n): A large, distinguishable part of a continent, such as the Indian subcontinent.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

"Continental drift": The theory that the Earth's continents have moved over geologic time relative to each other.
"Continental shelf": The extended perimeter of each continent, covered by shallow seas and gulfs.
"Gone continental": (Informal, often humorous) Adopting the sophisticated or fashionable habits perceived to be typical of mainland Europe.

Adjective

Noun

the European mainland
- Englishmen like to visit the Continent but they wouldn't like to live there
one of the large landmasses of the earth
- there are seven continents
- pioneers had to cross the continent on foot

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