[con.tin.u.al] adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L continuus continuous] (14c) 1: continuing indefinitely in time without interruption "~ fear"
2: recurring in steady usu. rapid succession "a history of ~ invasions" -- con.tin.u.al.ly adv syn continual, continuous, constant, incessant, perpetual, perennial mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence "continual showers the whole weekend". continuous usu. implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension "football's oldest continuous rivalry". constant implies uniform or persistent occurrence or recurrence "lived in constant pain". incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity "annoyed by the incessant quarreling". perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration "a land of perpetual snowfall". perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal "a perennial source of controversy".