continent

Etymology 1

Borrowed from Latin continēntem, noun use of present participle of continēre (“to contain”).

noun

1. Each of the main continuous land-masses on the earth's surface, now generally regarded as seven in number, including their related islands, continental shelves etc.
2. (obsolete in general sense) A large contiguous landmass considered independent of its islands, peninsulas etc. Specifically, the Old World continent of Europe–Asia–Africa. See the Continent.
3. (obsolete) Land (as opposed to the water).

Etymology 2

From Middle English contynent, from Old French continent, from Latin continentem (“continuous; holding together”), present participle of continēre (“to contain”).

adj

1. Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or defecation.
   Their strength was the strength of men geographically beyond temptation: the poverty of Arabia made them simple, continent, enduring. 1926, T.E. Lawrence, Seven Pillars of Wisdom, New York: Anchor, published 1991, page 219
   A celibate himself, he was of the opinion that marriage was something of a concession to human frailty, to save from fornication those who could not be continent, so it was better to marry than to burn with lust. 2009, Diarmaid MacCulloch, A History of Christianity, Penguin, published 2010, page 119
2. Not interrupted; connected; continuous.
   a continent fever
   The northeast part of Asia is, if not continent with the west side of America, yet certainly it is the least disjoined by sea of all that coast. 1843, John McIntosh, The Origin of the North American Indians
3. (obsolete) Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.