adjective

1. self-restrained; temperate
2. characterized by self-restraint in, esp. by total abstinence from, sexual activity
3. Obsolete restrictive

Etymology: OFr < L continens, prp. of continere: see contain

noun

1. Rare a thing that retains or contains something
2. the mainland: now rare except in the Continent, all of Europe except the British Isles
3. any of the main large land areas of the earth, conventionally regarded (with or without outlying islands) as units; Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America, and, sometimes, Antarctica