The Continent

Continent Con"ti*nent, n. [L. continens, prop., a holding together: cf. F. continent. See {Continent}, a.] 1. That which contains anything; a receptacle. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

The smaller continent which we call a pipkin. --Bp. Kennet. [1913 Webster]

2. One of the grand divisions of land on the globe; the main land; specifically (Phys. Geog.), a large body of land differing from an island, not merely in its size, but in its structure, which is that of a large basin bordered by mountain chains; as, the continent of North America. [1913 Webster]

Note: The continents are now usually regarded as six in number: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. But other large bodies of land are also reffered to as continents; as, the Antarctic continent; the continent of Greenland. Europe, Asia, and Africa are often grouped together as the Eastern Continent, and North and South America as the Western Continent. [1913 Webster]

{The Continent}, the main land of Europe, as distinguished from the islands, especially from England. [1913 Webster]