contiguous
[kuh n-tig-yoo-uh s]
- touching; in contact.
- in close proximity without actually touching; near.
- adjacent in time: contiguous events.
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Origin of contiguous
1605–15; < Latin contiguus bordering upon, equivalent to con- con- + tig- (variant stem of -tingere, combining form of tangere to touch; see tangent, contingent, contact) + -uus deverbal adj. suffix; cf. -ous, continuous
Synonyms
See more synonyms for contiguous on Thesaurus.com1. bordering, adjoining, abutting. 2. adjacent.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for contiguous
Contemporary Examples
Since the U.S. Constitution mandates that states be contiguous, Moffat County would just sign up with Wyoming.
The Award is limited to Delta Airlines destinations within the 48 contiguous US states and Canada.
The Orbitz Business Travel Survey SweepstakesDecember 14, 2012
Even the accepted US formula for two states: “a secure Israel alongside a viable, contiguous Palestine” is humiliating.
There are only 22 million people in an area about the size of the contiguous 48 States of the United States.
There are only 22 million people in Australia—an area about the size of the contiguous 48 States of the United States.
Historical Examples
The contiguous forest could not be bolted out, and the Indian wife heard all.
A First Family of TasajaraBret Harte
They are all contiguous to the villages from which they derive their names.
Their destination was a large table plain, contiguous to that on which we had encamped.
The Hunters' FeastMayne Reid
I don't know why, but no contiguous African tribes could be more hostile.
Being a BoyCharles Dudley Warner
We were of the same province, and of neighbouring towns, and our estates were also contiguous.
Letters of PlinyPliny
contiguous
- touching along the side or boundary; in contact
- physically adjacent; neighbouring
- preceding or following in time
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin contiguus, from contingere to touch; see contact
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for contiguous
adj.
1610s, from Latin contiguus "near, touching, bordering upon," from root of contingere "to touch upon" (see contact). Earlier form, now obsolete, was contiguate (mid-15c.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
contiguous
(kən-tĭg′yōō-əs)- Sharing an edge or boundary; touching.
- Neighboring; adjacent.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.