01 a. Of or pertaining to a continent.
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1.
Of or pertaining to a continent.
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2.
Of or pertaining to the main land of Europe, in distinction from the adjacent islands, especially England; as, a continental tour; a continental coalition.“No former king had involved himself so frequently in the labyrinth of continental alliances.” — Hallam.
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3.
Of or pertaining to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War; as, Continental money.(Amer. Hist.)“The army before Boston was designated as the Continental army, in contradistinction to that under General Gage, which was called the “Ministerial army.”” — W. Irving.
Phrases & compounds
Continental Congress —
See under Congress.
Continental system —
the blockade of Great Britain ordered by Napoleon by the decree of Berlin, Nov. 21, 1806; the object being to strike a blow at the maritime and commercial supremacy of Great Britain, by cutting her off from all intercourse with the continent of Europe.