continuum

American  

[kuhn-tin-yoo-uhm] / kənˈtɪn yu əm /

noun

plural

continua

1. a continuous extent, series, or whole.

2. Mathematics.

   1. a set of elements such that between any two of them there is a third element.

   2. the set of all real numbers.

   3. any compact, connected set containing at least two elements.

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continuum British  

/ kənˈtɪnjʊəm /

noun

1. a continuous series or whole, no part of which is perceptibly different from the adjacent parts

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Etymology

Origin of continuum

1640–50; < Latin, noun use of neuter of continuus continuous

Example Sentences

The chip uses a collective resonance known as a quasi bound state in the continuum to trap and intensify the incoming infrared light across the whole surface.

From Science Daily

"I'm outgoing and very confident and I love being around people," Auer says, "but I get that inkling that they all think I'm stupid and ugly, and that my life is a continuum of mistakes."

From BBC

“Alfie” is whisperingly intimate, with Kirk concentrating on just the tenor, and taking his place in the continuum of master balladeers like Ben Webster and Don Byas.

From The Wall Street Journal

What if it destroyed the “space-time continuum,” whatever that meant?

From Literature

"The difference between humans and chimpanzees isn't a categorical leap. It's more like a continuum," Sanford said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• continuity