continent

¹con·ti·nent

adj \ˈkän-tə-nənt\

Definition of CONTINENT

1

: exercising continence

2

obsolete : restrictive

— con·ti·nent·ly adverb

Examples of CONTINENT

1. Most children are continent by age three.
2. <a religous sect that expects its unmarried members to be completely celibate and its married adherents to maintain continent relationships>

Origin of CONTINENT

Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin continent-, continens, from present participle of continēre to hold in — more at contain

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CONTINENT

Synonyms: abstentious, abstinent, abstemious, self-abnegating, self-denying, sober, temperate

Antonyms: self-indulgent

Related Words: ascetic (also ascetical), austere; disciplined, self-controlled, self-disciplined, self-governed

Near Antonyms: gluttonous, greedy, rapacious, voracious; Cyrenaic, hedonistic, self-pleasing, sensual, sybaritic, voluptuous, voluptuary; masturbatory, onanistic

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