continuus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [kɔnˈtɪ.nu.ʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [konˈtiː.nu.us]^[1]

Forms

continuus (feminine continua, neuter continuum, adverb continuō); first/second-declension adjective^[1]

Etymology

It is from contineō “to hold together” with the suffix -uus.^[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's first citation is Plautus, of things coming in succession.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant uninterrupted, unremitting, continuous, of time unbroken, as Livy's continuous days, of speech continued, and lasting, constantly recurring, as in Cicero.^[2] Of space it meant unbroken, as in Horace, joined to something, as Ovid's Leucas joined to the mainland, and forming an indivisible whole.^[2][5] It also meant successive, as Plautus' days, and next in time or position.^[2] Döderlein says continuus is what hangs together without a break, perpetuus what reaches its end without stopping.^[6]

In Medieval Latin it meant continuous, forming a whole, and of birds' feet webbed.^[7] It survives in French continu and Italian continuo.^[1] English continuous came in the 1640s, and English continue from its verb continuāre in the mid-14th century.^[3]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of successive days.^[2][4]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of recurring things.^[2][4]
• 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses it of unbroken time.^[2][4]
• 1640s – English continuous is recorded.^[3]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Uninterrupted, continuous.^[2]
2. Lasting; incessant.^[2]
3. Unbroken in space; adjoining.^[2]
4. Successive.^[2]
5. Next (in time or place).^[2]

Word family

• continuitās
• continuō

Related words

• contineō
• perpetuus
• English continuous
• English continue

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
5. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press