continuity English · revision 39692

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=early 15th century|origins=la contineō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * UK: /ˌkɒn.tɪˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/^(Wiktionary)

+ * US: /ˌkɑn.tɪˈn(j)u.ə.ti/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|fro|continuité]], [[der|la|continuitās|t=a connected series]],^(Etymonline)^(ODE 2010)^(MWU 2024)^(Klein 1966) formed on [[m|la|continuus|t=joining, following one after another]], the source of [[continuous]], with the suffix that became [[-ity]].^(Etymonline)^(OED 2026)^(Dictionary.com 2016) The adjective comes from [[m|la|contineō|t=to hold together; to be uninterrupted]], the verb behind [[contain]].^(Etymonline) The Anglo-Norman noun is recorded from 1303.^(AND)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An uninterrupted connection of parts in space or time: early 15th century in Etymonline,^(Etymonline) late Middle English in the Shorter Oxford and the Oxford Dictionary of English,^(SOED 2002)^(ODE 2010) and 1375–1425 in Dictionary.com.^(Dictionary.com 2016) The OED's first quotation, of material things without breaks, is from 1543.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The phrase ''solution of continuity'', an old medical term for a break such as a wound or fracture, is recorded from 1543,^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) and Johnson (1755) quoted Bacon's use of it.^(Johnson 1755) From 1603 the word was applied to immaterial things, such as a sequence of events or ideas,^(OED 2026) and the ''law of continuity'', that nothing in nature changes by sudden leaps, is recorded from 1753.^(OED 2026)^(SOED 2002) A continuity could also be a connected whole or series (1601).^(OED 2026) In the American film industry, by 1919, the word meant the scenario that divides a story into scenes, and the work of keeping details consistent between shots filmed at different times;^(Etymonline)^(OED 2026) Etymonline notes that this was at first largely women's work.^(Etymonline) In broadcasting, from 1934, it meant the linking announcements between programmes.^(OED 2026)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * early 15th century – uninterrupted connection in space or time.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1543 – ''solution of continuity'', a break or wound.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1601 – a continuous whole or series.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1603 – of immaterial things, unbroken sequence.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1753 – ''law of continuity''.^(OED 2026)

+ * 1919 – (film) a scenario; consistency between shots.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1934 – (broadcasting) linking announcements.^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The state of being [[continuous]] or unbroken over time; lack of interruption: ''The new director promised continuity in the museum's policies.''^(Collins 2023)^(MWU 2024)

+ # A logical connection or [[coherence]] between parts; a connected whole or series.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # (film and television) The keeping of details consistent from one shot or scene to the next; also, a detailed [[script]] or [[scenario]].^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+ # (broadcasting) Announcements and material that link one programme to the next.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 2026)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[noncontinuity]]

+ * [[discontinuity]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[continue]]

+ * [[continual]]

+ * [[continuous]]

+ * [[contain]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}