Continuance

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Continue vb -tinued; -tinuing [ME, fr. MF continuer, fr. L continuare, fr. continuus] vi [14c] 1: to maintain without interrurption a condition, course, or action 2: to remain in existence: Endure 3: to remain in a place or condition: Stay 4: to resume an activity after interruption -vt 1a: Keep up, Maintain [ __ walking] b: to keep going or add to: Prolong also: to resume after intermission 2: to cause to continue 3: to allow to remain in a place or condition: Retain 4: to postpone [a legal proceeding] by a continuance -syn Continue, Last, Endure, Abide, Persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely. Continue applies to a process going on without ending [the search for peace will continue]. Last, esp. when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expaected [buy shoes that will last] Endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies [in spite of everythng, her faith endured]. Abide implies stable and constant existing esp. as opposed to mutability [a love that abides through 40 years of marriage] Persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggediness [the sense of guilt persisted].

Continual adj [ME, fr. MF, fr. L continuus continuous] [14c] 1: continuing indefinitely in time without interuption or invasions ]
-syn Continual, Continuous, Constant, Incessant, Perpetual, Perennial mean characterized by continued occurrrence or recurrence. Continual often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence [continual showers the whole weekend]. Continuous usu. implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension [footballÍs oldest continuous rivalry]. Constant implies uniform or persistent occurence or reacurrence [lived in constant pain] Incessant implies ceaseless or uninterrupted activity [annoyed by the incessant quarreling]. Perpetual suggests unfailing repetition or lasting duration [a land of perpetual snowfall]. Perennial implies enduring existence often through constant renewal [a perennial source of controversy]