continuous

continuous
adjective
1》 without interruption.
    ↘forming a series with no exceptions or reversals.
    ↘Mathematics denoting a function of which the graph is a smooth unbroken curve.
2》 Grammar another term for progressive (in sense 3).
Derivatives
continuously adverb
continuousness noun
Origin
C17: from L. continuus 'uninterrupted', from continere 'hang together' (from con- 'together with' + tenere 'hold') + -ous.
Usage
Continuous and continual can both mean roughly ‘without interruption’ (five years of continuous/continual warfare), but continuous is much more prominent in this sense and can be used to refer to space as well as time, as in the development forms a continuous line along the coast. Continual, on the other hand, typically means ‘happening frequently, with intervals between’, as in the bus service has been disrupted by continual breakdowns.

English new terms dictionary. 2014.

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Synonyms:

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  • continuous — I adjective ceaseless, consecutive, constant, continual, continuing, endless, extended, following, incessant, never ending, perennial, perpetual, progressive, prolonged, repeated, running, sequential, steady, sustained, unbroken, unceasing,… …   Law dictionary

  • Continuous — Con*tin u*ous, a. [L. continuus, fr. continere to hold together. See {Continent}.] 1. Without break, cessation, or interruption; without intervening space or time; uninterrupted; unbroken; continual; unceasing; constant; continued; protracted;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • continuous — 1640s, from Fr. continueus or directly from L. continuus uninterrupted, hanging together (see CONTINUE (Cf. continue)). Related: Continuously …   Etymology dictionary

  • continuous — constant, perpetual, perennial, *continual, incessant, unremitting Analogous words: connected, related, linked (see JOIN): successive, *consecutive, sequent, serial: *steady, constant, uniform Antonyms: interrupted Contrasted words: *intermittent …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • continuous — [adj] constant, unending connected, consecutive, continued, day and night*, endless, everlasting, extended, for ever and ever, interminable, looped, no end of*, no end to, on a treadmill*, perpetual, prolonged, regular, repeated, stable, steady,… …   New thesaurus

  • continuous — ► ADJECTIVE 1) without interruption. 2) forming a series with no exceptions or reversals. DERIVATIVES continuously adverb continuousness noun …   English terms dictionary

  • continuous — [kən tin′yo͞o əs] adj. [L continuus: see CONTINUE] 1. going on or extending without interruption or break; unbroken; connected 2. Math. designating a function whose value at each point is closely approached by its values at neighboring points SYN …   English World dictionary

  • continuous — continual, continuous 1. Continual is the older word (14c), and once had all the meanings it now (since the mid 19c) shares with continuous (17c). Fowler (1926) expressed the current distinction somewhat cryptically as follows: ‘That is al which… …   Modern English usage

  • continuous — [[t]kəntɪ̱njuəs[/t]] 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n A continuous process or event continues for a period of time without stopping. Residents report that they heard continuous gunfire. ...all employees who had a record of five years continuous employment with… …   English dictionary

  • continuous — con|tin|u|ous W3S2 [kənˈtınjuəs] adj [Date: 1600 1700; : Latin; Origin: continuus, from continere; CONTAIN] 1.) continuing to happen or exist without stopping →↑continue ▪ continuous economic growth ▪ a continuous flow of information 2.)… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • continuous — con|tin|u|ous [ kən tınjuəs ] adjective ** 1. ) continuing without stopping or being interrupted: a continuous flow of water a continuous hum from the air conditioner 2. ) a continuous line, curve, etc. continues without a break or space 3. )… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

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