[con.ti.nen.tal] adj (1760) 1 a: of, relating to, or characteristic of a continent "~ waters"; specif, often cap: of or relating to the continent of Europe excluding the British Isles b often cap: of, relating to, or being a cuisine derived from the classic dishes of Europe and esp. France
2. a often cap: of or relating to the colonies later forming the U.S. "Continental Congress" b: being the part of the U.S. on the No. American continent; also: being the part of the U.S. comprising the lower 48 states -- con.ti.nen.tal.ly adv
[2]continental n (1777) 1 a often cap: an American soldier of the Revolution in the Continental army b (1): a piece of Continental paper currency (2): the least bit "not worth a ~"
2: an inhabitant of a continent and esp. the continent of Europe