Con"ti*nent , n. [L. continens, prop., a holding together: cf. F. continent. See Continent, a.]
1. That which contains anything; a receptacle. [Obs.]
The smaller continent
which we call a pipkin.
Bp. Kennet.
2. One of
the grand divisions of land on the globe; the main land; specifically
(Phys. Geog.), a large body of land
differing from an island, not merely in its
size, but in
its structure, which is that
of a large basin bordered by mountain chains; as, the continent of North America.
&fist; The continents are now usually regarded as six in number: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. But other large bodies of land are also reffered to as continents; as, the Antarctic continent; the continent of Greenland.
Europe, Asia, and Africa are often grouped together as the Eastern Continent, and North and
South America as the Western Continent.
The
Continent, the main land of
Europe, as distinguished
from the islands, especially from
England.
Con"ti*nent (?), a. [L. continens, -entis, prop., p. pr. of
continere to hold together, to repress: cf. F. continent. See Contain.]
1. Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing. [Obs.]
Shak.
2. Exercising restraint as to the indulgence of desires or passions; temperate; moderate.
Have a continent forbearance till the speed of
his rage goes slower.
Shak.
3. Abstaining from sexual intercourse; exercising restraint upon the sexual appetite; esp., abstaining from illicit sexual intercourse; chaste.
My past life
Hath been as
continent, as chaste, as true,
As I am now unhappy.
Shak.
4. Not interrupted; connected;
continuous; as, a continent fever. [Obs.]
The northeast part of Asia is,
if not continent with the west side
of America, yet certainly it is the least
disoined by sea of all that coast.
Berrewood.
Hear it pronounced