adv. [f. CONTINENT a. + -LY2.] 1. In a continent manner, in continence; chastely, temperately.

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1554.  T. Martin, Marr. of Priests, X. i. (T.). It was lykely enough that the man would live continently.

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1563.  Foxe, A. & M., Marr. Preests defended, 159 (R.). He that cannot otherwise liue continently, let him marrie.

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1691.  Ray, Lett. to Aubrey, in Lett. Emin. Persons, II. 159. You are not ignorant how Mr. Boyle hath been κωμωδουμενος for some new-coined words, such as ignore and opine … I’ll name you one or two [i.e., in Aubrey’s MS. Hist. of Wilts], to apricate, suscepted, vesicate, continently put as opposite to incontinently.

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  † 2.  Continuously, without interruption; cf. CONTINENT a. 6 b. Obs. rare.

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1529.  More, Comf. agst. Trib., II. Wks. 1180/1. And then continently folowing, to thentent that we should se that it is not with oute necessitye.

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