continental

adj

1. Of or relating to a continent or continents.

   “continental drift”

   “Offshore to the west of the continental margin during the Early Triassic, the Sonoma highlands formed a volcanic island arc, separated from the mainland by a shallow sea that cut through western Nevada and northwestern Utah.”

   “No former king had involved himself so frequently in the labyrinth of continental alliances.”

2. Of the mainland, as opposed to an island offshore.

   “continental Europe”

   “The outline of continental Ireland is proximately that of a rhomboid ; and, in a general view, is greatly more continuous or less indented and undulated by cuts and sweeps of the sea than the outline of continental Great Britain.”

3. Relating to, or characteristic of, continental Europe.

   “continental breakfast”

   “at Monte Carlo or some of the other Continental gambling-hells”

4. (US, historical)Of or relating to the confederated colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary War.

   “continental money”

5. (not-comparable)Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as Britain, Ireland)
6. (UK, alt-of, alternative, not-comparable)Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as Britain, Ireland)
7. (UK, alt-of, alternative, not-comparable)Synonym of European (including insular Europe, such as Britain, Ireland)
8. (UK, US, historical, not-comparable)Pertaining to the colonies of British North America covered by the Continental Congress.

noun

1. Someone from the continent.

   “Reflecting on his long career chronicling scientists, J. G. Crowther wondered why it was that in the grand debates over the nature of light, x-rays, and cathode rays, the British opted for particles and the continentals for waves.”

2. (US, historical)A member of the Continental army.
3. (US, historical)Paper scrip (paper money) issued by the continental congress, largely worthless by the end of the war.
4. (broadly, obsolete)The smallest amount; a whit; a jot.

   “not worth a continental”

   “I don't care a continental!”

5. Synonym of European (a denizen of Europe)
6. (UK)Synonym of European (a denizen of Europe)
7. (UK)Synonym of European (a denizen of Europe)
8. (UK, US, historical)A denizen of the colonies of British North America covered by the Continental Congress.