continental English · revision 10482

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1760|origins=en continent}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntl̩/ ''(UK)''; /ˌkɑntɪˈnɛntl̩/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[continent]] with the suffix [[-al]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Of the mainland of Europe, as opposed to Great Britain: 1760.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Relating to the American colonies collectively during the Revolution is from 1774–75,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and the noun, a soldier of the regular army of the colonies, from 1777.^(Etymonline) The paper money issued by the Continental Congress lost its value, giving the expression ''not worth a continental'', no earlier than 1851.^(Etymonline) As a purely geographical term, relating to a continent, it is from 1818.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) ''Continental breakfast'' is attested by 1855,^(Etymonline) and of climate from 1865.^(OED 1989) A ''continental divide'' is from 1869,^(OED 1989) and the ''continental shelf'' is a later term.^(SOED 2002)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1760 – of mainland Europe.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1774 – of the American colonies.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1777 – a Continental soldier (noun).^(Etymonline)

+ * 1818 – of a continent.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1851 – not worth a continental.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1855 – continental breakfast.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Of, relating to or characteristic of a [[continent]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Of or relating to the mainland of Europe, as opposed to Britain.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # ''(US history)'' Of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.^(AHD)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An inhabitant of the mainland of Europe.^(AHD)

+ # ''(US history)'' A soldier of the Continental Army, or a banknote issued by the Continental Congress.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[continentalism]]

+ * [[continentalist]]

+ * [[continentally]]

+ * [[intercontinental]]

+ * [[bicontinental]]

+ * [[continentality]]

+ * [[continentalize]]

+ * [[epicontinental]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[continent]]

+ * [[transcontinental]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}