continuous English · revision 6350

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1642|origins=la teneo}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kənˈtɪn.juː.əs/, /-(j)ɪu̯.əs/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is French continueus or directly [[bor|la|continuus|t=joining, connecting; uninterrupted]] and [[-ous]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(SOED 2002)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|contineo|alt=continēre|t=to hang together]] (see [[contain]]), from [[m|la|con-|t=together]] and [[m|la|teneo|alt=tenēre|t=to hold]].^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Characterized by continuity: the 1640s in Etymonline, a figurative use in 1642 in the OED;^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) extending in space without a break, 1673.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Uninterrupted in time or sequence, of actions and immaterial things, is from 1751.^(OED 1989) In grammar, a continuous tense or aspect expresses ongoing action (1887).^(OED 1989) ''Continuous assessment'' of pupils' work is from 1959.^(OED 1989) In mathematics, a continuous function has no breaks.^(Collins 2023) Collins and other dictionaries distinguish continuous, without interruption, from [[continual]], happening repeatedly.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1642 – figuratively, continuing.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1673 – unbroken in space.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1751 – uninterrupted in time.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1887 – in grammar.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1959 – continuous assessment.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Going on without interruption or break.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Forming an unbroken whole: ''a continuous line''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(grammar)'' Of a verb form, expressing an action in progress; [[progressive]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[continuously]]

+ * [[continuousness]]

+ * [[semicontinuous]]

+ * [[uncontinuous]]

+ * [[continuous wave]]

+ * [[continuous function]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[contain]]

+ * [[continuity]]

+ * [[continued]]

+ * [[continuum]]

+ * [[continue]]

+ * [[continual]]

+ * [[tenor]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Continuous'' means without a pause, while [[continual]] usually means happening repeatedly with breaks in between.^(Collins 2023)^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}