continent

noun continents

1. One of the main contiguous landmasses, separated by water or geological features, on the surface of a planet, sometimes including its continental shelves and the islands on them. But I should turn mine ears and hear The moanings of the homeless sea, ⁠The sound of streams that swift or slow ⁠Draw down Æonian hills, and sow The dust of continents to be; […]
2. Each of the traditional main regions into which the Earth’s land surface is divided, including both an extent of mainland and various conventionally associated islands, etc; namely, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia/Oceania, North America, South America, and Antarctica.
3. broadly, obsolete A large contiguous landmass as opposed to its islands, peninsulas, and so forth; mainland. Also specifically, the Old World continent of Europe–Asia–Africa: see the Continent. No man is an Iland, intire of it ſelfe; euery man is a peece of the Continent, a part of the maine; […]
4. figuratively A large connected expanse of something in general.
5. obsolete Any continuous tract or area of land; country, connected region.
6. obsolete Land (as opposed to the water), dry land. The carkas with the streame was carried downe, / But th’head fell backeward on the continent.
7. obsolete The body or mass of a celestial body such as the sun or moon.
8. obsolete Container, vessel, something that holds or contains something else.
9. obsolete Space, capacity.
10. obsolete The principal or essential points of something viewed collectively: sum, summary, substance. […] Here's the scroll, The continent and summary of my fortune.

adjective more continent · most continent

1. Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one’s bodily needs or passions, especially sex. Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower.
2. Having voluntary control over one’s urination or defecation.
3. obsolete Not interrupted; connected; continuous, whether in time or space. a continent fever
4. obsolete Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing. There did I ſee that low ſpirited Swaine, [...] hight Coſtard, (Clow[ne]. O mee) ſorted and conſorted contrary to thy eſtabliſhed proclaymed Edict and continent Cannon; Which with, o with, but with this I paſſion to ſay wherewith: / Clo[wne]. With a Wench.
5. obsolete Containing or capable of containing.

Opposite: incontinent

proper noun the Continent

1. obsolete The Old World. the whole Continent of Europe, Asia, Africa.
2. Ireland, UK Mainland Europe, as seen from the British Isles.

noun Continents

1. An Encratite.