Etymologically
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continuus

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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

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