continental

noun

(often capitalized) an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army
a piece of Continental paper currency
the least bit
an inhabitant of a continent and especially the continent of Europe
a native of the continental United States living or working in Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands

L1472858 on Wikidata ↗

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent
(often capitalized) of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and especially France
(often capitalized) of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S.
being the part of the U.S. on the North American continent; also: being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states
(meteorology) of or relating to the relatively dry air typically found or originating over large landmasses
(meteorology) of or relating to climates characterized by a wide seasonal variation in temperatures

L30824 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˌkɑntɪˈnɛntl̩/ / /ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntl̩/

adj

Etymology: Etymology tree English continent Proto-Indo-European *h₂el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālisbor. Old French -albor. ▲ Latin -ālis Old French -elbor. ▲ Latin -ālisbor. Middle English -al English -al English continental From continent + -al.

Of or relating to a continent or continents.
“continental drift”
“Offshore to the west of the continental margin during the Early Triassic, the Sonoma highlands formed a volcanic island arc, separated from the mainland by a shallow sea that cut through western Nevada and northwestern Utah.”
Of the mainland, as opposed to an island offshore.
“continental Europe”
“The outline of continental Ireland is proximately that of a rhomboid ; and, in a general view, is greatly more continuous or less indented and undulated by cuts and sweeps of the sea than the outline of continental Great Britain.”
Relating to, or characteristic of, continental Europe.
“continental breakfast”
“at Monte Carlo or some of the other Continental gambling-hells”
Of or relating to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War.
“continental money”

noun

Someone from the continent.
“Reflecting on his long career chronicling scientists, J. G. Crowther wondered why it was that in the grand debates over the nature of light, x-rays, and cathode rays, the British opted for particles and the continentals for waves.”
A member of the Continental army.
Paper scrip (paper money) issued by the continental congress, largely worthless by the end of the war.
The smallest amount; a whit; a jot.
“not worth a continental”
“I don't care a continental!”