/ ˈkɒntɪnənt; NAmE ˈkɑːn-/ noun
1.
[ C ] one of the large land masses of the earth such as Europe, Asia or Africa :
the continent of Africa
the African continent
2.
the Continent [ sing. ] ( BrE ) the main part of the continent of Europe, not including Britain or Ireland :
We're going to spend a weekend on the Continent.
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WORD ORIGIN
II . late Middle English (in sense 2): from Latin continent- holding together, restraining oneself, from continere (see contain ).