Continent

a. [Lat. continens, from continere, to hold together, from con and tenere, to hold; Fr. continent, It. & Sp. continente.]

1Sense 1. Serving to restrain or limit. [Obs.]

My desire All continent impediments would o'erbear That did oppose my will. Shak.

2Sense 2. Not interrupted; connected; continuous; as, a continent fever. [Obs.]

The north-east part of Asia is, if not continent with the west side of America, yet certainly the least disjoined by sea of all that coast. Greenwood.

3Sense 3. Exercising restraint as to the indulgence of desires or passions, especially as to sexual intercourse; temperate; chaste. “Continent not to impair his strength.” Browne.

Have a continent forbearance till the speed of his rage goes slower. Shak.

My past life Hath been as continent, as chaste, as true, As I am now unhappy. Shak.

n. [Lat. continens, hanging together, from continere, to hold together, Fr. continent, It. & Sp. continente.]

1Sense 1. That which contains any thing. [Obs.]

Here's the scroll. The continent and summary of my fortune. Shak.

2Sense 2. (Geog.) A great extent of land not interrupted by water; one of the larger bodies of land on the globe; the main land; as, the western continent; the continent of Asia.

3Sense 3. The main land of Europe, as distinguished from the islands, especially from England.