Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • The Continental Congress was the legislative assembly composed of delegates from the thirteen American colonies, and later the states, that met during and after the American Revolution. It served as the provisional government, issued the Declaration of Independence, and framed the Articles of Confederation.

Usage

• The term Continental Congress is used as a proper noun to refer to this specific historical governing body. It is often preceded by the definite article "the" and can be used in singular or plural form to refer to its different sessions (e.g., the First Continental Congress, the Second Continental Congress).

Examples

• Proper noun:
  • The Continental Congress first met in Philadelphia in 1774.
  • A key responsibility of the Continental Congress was to manage the colonial war effort.
  • The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Advanced Usage

• "to convene a Continental Congress": to call such an assembly into session.
  • The colonies agreed to convene a Continental Congress to address the Intolerable Acts.
• "delegate to the Continental Congress": a representative sent by a colony/state to the assembly.
  • John Adams served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from Massachusetts.

Variants and Related Words

• First Continental Congress (proper noun): The initial assembly in 1774, which sought redress from the British Crown.
• Second Continental Congress (proper noun): The assembly (1775-1781) that governed during the Revolution, declared independence, and drafted the Articles.
• Congress of the Confederation (proper noun): The legislative body that operated under the Articles of Confederation from 1781-1789, sometimes considered a continuation of the Continental Congress.

Synonyms

• Colonial Congress: A less common term emphasizing its composition from the colonies.
• American Congress (historical context): Can refer to this body in a broad historical sense before the establishment of the U.S. Congress.

Related Phrases

• "act of the Continental Congress": an official decision or law made by this body.
  • The funding of the Continental Army was authorized by an act of the Continental Congress.

Noun

1. the legislative assembly composed of delegates from the rebel colonies who met during and after the American Revolution; they issued the Declaration of Independence and framed Articles of Confederation