Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act or state of continuing without interruption: The action of carrying on or prolonging an activity, process, or state.
   • A part or thing that continues or extends something else: An additional part that is joined to something, such as a story, building, or road, making it longer.
   • The consequence of being lengthened in duration: The state or fact of something lasting for a longer time.
   • (In Gestalt psychology) A principle of perception: The innate tendency to perceive a line or pattern as continuing its established direction beyond its endpoints.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage:

  • The continuation of the meeting was approved by all members. (The act of carrying on the meeting was approved.)
  • This road is a continuation of the highway. (This road extends the highway further.)
  • We are all hoping for a continuation of the peace talks. (We hope the peace talks will last longer without stopping.)

• Specific Contexts:

  • In Literature/Media:

    • The novel's sequel is a direct continuation of the original story.
    • Turn to page 137 for the continuation of this article.
  • In Psychology/Perception:

    • The visual illusion relies on the principle of continuation.
  • In Physical Objects/Structures:

    • They built a continuation to the library, adding three new reading rooms.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "In continuation of": Used formally to link to a previous point or action.
  • In continuation of our policy review, we will now discuss implementation.
• "Continuation school": (A specific compound term) A school for students who need to continue their education outside the regular system.
  • After dropping out, he attended a continuation school to earn his diploma.

Variants and Related Words

• Continue (verb): To keep happening or existing without stopping; to start again after a pause.
  • Please continue your work.
• Continual (adjective): Happening repeatedly, often in a way that is annoying.
  • The continual interruptions made it hard to focus.
• Continuous (adjective): Without any interruptions or stops; unbroken.
  • A continuous line of traffic.
• Continuity (noun): The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over time.
  • The film editor ensured visual continuity between scenes.

Synonyms

• Extension: The action of making something longer or larger.
• Prolongation: The act of making something last longer.
• Resumption: The action of beginning something again after a pause.
• Sequel: A published, broadcast, or recorded work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier one.

Antonyms

• Cessation: The fact or process of ending or being brought to an end.
• Discontinuation: The action of stopping something.
• Interruption: The action of stopping something temporarily.
• Termination: The action of bringing something or coming to an end.

Idioms and Phrases

• "To be a continuation of": To be essentially the same as something that came before, often used to describe policies, trends, or styles.
  • His new administration is seen as a continuation of the previous one.
• "Without continuation": (Formal/Legal) Not being carried forward or renewed.
  • The contract was terminated without continuation.

Noun

1. the consequence of being lengthened in duration
2. a Gestalt principle of organization holding that there is an innate tendency to perceive a line as continuing its established direction
3. a part added to a book or play that continues and extends it
4. the act of continuing an activity without interruption