Forms: 4–6 contynue, (contynu), -tynew(e, -tinew, 5 -tynwe, -tenue, -tenewe, -tenwe, -teynue, 7 -tinu, 4– continue. See also CONTAIN v. 17 and CONTUNE. [a. F. continue-r (13th c. in Littré), ad. L. continuāre ‘to make continuous,’ more rarely ‘to be continuous,’ f. continu-us CONTINUOUS. There seems to have been frequent confusion in ME. between this word and contain in its early form contene, due perh. to F. contenu and L. continui, parts of contenir, continēre to CONTAIN, or to the Eng. sb. CONTENU = F. contenu content. Hence sense 17 ‘to contain,’ and CONTAIN v. 17 in sense ‘continue’; see also CONTUNE.)
I. transitive.
1. To carry on, keep up, maintain, go on with, persist in (an action, usage, etc.).
a. 1340. Hampole, Psalter, 525. Þe desire to receyf more & to contynu it.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XIX. 235. [Thai] continuit thair mavite Quhen euir thai met thame on the se.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg. (MS. A.), 91. Þis medicyn þou schalt contynuen til it be hool.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xix. 416. Better to haue peas than for to contynewe the werre.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., Pref. (1814), 4. Audacyte to contynue forth my fyrste purpose.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., I. i. 27. I am … Glad that you thus continue your resolue.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., VI. x. Negroes transplanted into cold … habitations continue their hue.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, I. i. The whole, to continue the same metaphor, consists in the cookery of the author.
1874. Bancroft, Footpr. Time, viii. 201. To continue the struggle.
1879. Jenkinson, Guide Eng. Lakes, 194. Continuing the ascent, and bearing a little to the left.
2. To cause to last or endure; to prolong, keep up (something external to the agent).
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 113. Crist to contynue devocioun of his womman, answeride not first a word to hir.
1599. Thynne, Animadv. (1865), 67. Howe this ordale was contynued in Englande in the tyme of kinge Iohane.
1611. Bible, Ps. lxxii. 17. His name shalbe continued as long as the sunne.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Hydriot., iv. 28. A good Way to continue their Memories.
1753. Johnson, in Boswell, 1 Jan. Almighty God who hast continued my life to this day.
1862. Ruskin, Munera P. (1880), 5. If the qualities are continued by descent through a generation or two.
3. With extension or complement: To keep on, maintain, retain (in a place, condition, etc.).
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon., xix. (1714), 145. God contenewe his grace and persone in long lyffe wt increse.
1588. Lett., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), I. 143. We were continued all this year in assured hope of a full victory.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., II. xiv. § 10. If a child were continued in a grot or cave under the earth until maturity of age.
1657. Vestry Bks. (Surtees), 311. That John Philpott be continued clerk of this parish.
1670. trans. Machiavelli’s Princes (Rtldg., 1883), 245. Pagolo and the Duke de Gravina were continued alive.
1670. Walton, Hooker, in Lives, III. 159. To continue him at School.
1741. Richardson, Pamela (1824), I. iv. 19. No lady … would care to continue me with her.
1771. Goldsm., Hist. Eng., IV. 160. He was still continued the reluctant general of the army.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 153. It … seemed unprofitable to continue the companies longer in a state of hardship.
1850. W. Irving, Mahomet, xxx. (1853), 151. He was continued in his office.
† b. ellipt. Obs. cf. quot. 1670 above.
1603. Shaks., Meas. for M., IV. iii. 88. But Barnardine must die this afternoone, And how shall we continue Claudio?
† 4. To make continuous with, connect or attach to. Obs.
1387. Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), I. 73. Paradys is so hiȝe and in oon place contynued to þe erþe.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg. (MS. A.), 147. Þe braunchis of þe senewis of þe heed in sum place ben conteynued & ioyned with þese senewis.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., V. v. 239. The use of the Navell is to continue the infant unto the Mother.
5. To carry on, take up, resume (a narrative, etc.) from a point of suspension or interruption.
c. 1425. Wyntoun, Cron., I. i. 17. Ðe thryde [Buke] sall contynwyde be Quhille made of Rome wes þe cite.
1597. Shaks., 2 Hen. IV., Epil. Our humble Author will continue the Story (with Sir John in it).
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., I. 49. Antonius Ciccarella, who continueth on the history of Platina.
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, V. Prol. And thus his tale continued ran.
1823. Lamb, Elia, xi. Imperf. Symp. Hume’s History compared with his [Smollett’s] Continuation of it. What if the Historian had continued Humphrey Clinker?
6. To carry on in space; to prolong, produce.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 1029. A Bridge of wondrous length From Hell continu’d reaching th’ utmost Orbe Of this frail World.
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 274. Then continue (viz. draw longer) both the lines AB, CD.
1784. Gent. Mag., LIV. II. 643. The arch is now continuing under the intended road … for which purpose a hill contiguous is cutting down.
1831. Brewster, Optics, ii. 18. If we continue backwards the rays DE, FE, they will meet at m.
7. To carry on in a line of succession or development; to furnish a sequel or successor to.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. Crit., ii. (1875), 62. The man of genius was continued by the English analysts of the eighteenth century … The man of intelligence was continued by successors like Bernouilli, Euler, and Laplace.
8. Law. To adjourn, prorogue, put off. (esp. Sc.).
1469. Sc. Acts Jas. III., § 38. The court of Parliament … or sic like courtis, that has continuacione, nedis nocht to be continuit fra day to day.
c. 1565. Lindesay (Pitscottie), Chron. Scot. (1728), 188. The Governor … wrote to the Cardinal to continue the accusation of Mr. George, till he spake with him.
a. 1639. Spottiswood, Hist. Ch. Scot., 258 (Jam.). But the Regent’s death, and the troubles which thereupon issued, made all to be continued for that time.
1798. Dallas, Amer. Law Rep., II. 44. The cause was continued on a rule for trial at the next term.
1861. W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., s.v. Diet, After the day of appearance has once arrived, the diet may be continued by an act of the Court … The continuation must be to another day certain, for the diet cannot be continued indefinitely, or sine die.
1890. Boston (Mass.) Jrnl., 23 May, 1/6. He appeared before Judge Sanger of the District court in Cambridge this morning, and has his case continued until June 4.
b. Stock Exch. (See quot.)
1886. Law Times, LXXX. 206/1. ‘To continue’ is a technical term, which means to sell and to rebuy the same amount of stock at a future day at the same price, a further sum being paid for the accommodation.
II. intransitive.
9. To remain in existence or in its present condition; to last, endure, persist in being.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 120. Þe sike man muste nedis die, namely & þe accidentis contynewen [MS. A. conteynen].
1535. Coverdale, 1 Sam. xiii. 14. But now shall not thy kyngdome contynue.
1577. B. Googe, Heresbach’s Husb., II. (1586), 108 b. Built with rafters and beames of Juniper, to the end it might continue.
1667. Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 273. My mother grows so much worse, that he fears she cannot long continue.
1746. J. Hervey, Medit. (1818), 106. This habitable globe … could no more continue, than they could create themselves.
1878. Browning, La Saisiaz, 59. Let what now exists continue.
10. To remain, stay, or abide (in a place).
1417. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 19. I. 55. Of us which are continuinge in a lande of warr.
1526. Tindale, Matt. xv. 32. Because they haue contynued with me now .iii. dayes, and haue nought to eate.
1611. Bible, John ii. 12. They continued there not many days.
1667. Milton, P. L., II. 314. So the popular vote Inclines, here to continue.
1814. Jane Austen, Lady Susan, xxiii. (1879), 254. Frederica is made wretched by his continuing here.
1839. Yeowell, Anc. Brit. Ch., xi. 122. Ireland, where he is supposed to have continued four years.
11. With complement or extension: To remain (in a specified state or capacity).
1503–4. Act 19 Hen. VII., 39. Preamb., Sythen whiche tyme your seid Subgiect hathe contynued … your feythfull and true liegeman.
1509. Fisher, Fun. Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. (1876), 294. Thoughe she alway contynued not in her vyrgynyte.
1606. Shaks., Ant. & Cl., IV. vi. 29. Your Emperor Continues still a Ioue. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., I. vi. 56. Continues well my Lord?
1667. Milton, P. L., V. 521. That thou art happie, owe to God; That thou continu’st such, owe to thy self.
1737. Whiston, Josephus’ Antiq., V. i. § 28. The Deity would continue their friend.
1761. Johnson, Lett. Baretti, 10 June, in Boswell. Your English style still continues in its purity and vigour.
1884. Miss Braddon, Ishmael, xli. It is impossible you should continue unhappy if you follow the dictates of honour and conscience.
12. To persist in action, persevere; to go on, keep on. (Now rare of persons.)
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 25. He continued alle night in prayers alone.
14[?]. Circumcision in Tundale’s Vis. (1843), 94. To contynu in vertu tyll thei dey.
1570. Levins, Manip., 95. To continew, perseuerare.
1605. Shaks., Macb., V. i. 34. I haue knowne her continue in this [washing her hands] a quarter of an houre.
1677. Littleton, Lat. Dict., s.v., To continue or hold on in that he began.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic., lxii. The altercation continued until they entered the gates of Antwerp.
1877. Lady Brassey, Voy. Sunbeam, i. The breeze continued.
1882. J. H. Blunt. Ref. Ch. Eng., II. 220. The persecution continued with unabated rigour.
13. To continue doing or to do: to go on doing, not to cease. Sometimes with on.
1382. Wyclif, Luke xxiii. 23. And thei contynueden axinge with greete voices, that he schulde be crucified.
1526. Tindale, Acts xii. 16. Peter contynued knockinge.
1611. Bible, 1 Sam. i. 12. As she continued praying before the Lord.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxvi. 139. By whose authority they now continue to be Lawes.
1667. Milton, P. L., IX. 138. In one day to have marr’d What he … six Nights and Days Continu’d making.
1719. Lock, in W. Wood, Surv. Trade, 59. [It] is likely to continue on to do so.
1722. Lond. Gaz., No. 6041/10. The Pills continue to be sold by him.
1776. Trial of Nundocomar, 24/1. Kissen Juan Doss continues reading from the Rosenamma.
1875. Jevons, Money (1878), 83. They will continue to circulate as token coins.
14. To proceed in one’s discourse; to resume or go on after pause or interruption.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 118, ¶ 2. Of all persons under the Sun (continued he …) be sure to set a Mark upon Confidents.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, II. iii. And thus he continued on, while my colour came and went … with indignation.
1885. Sir W. V. Field, in Law Times Rep., LII. 654/2. Lord Erskine continues thus: ‘If the court can discover,’ etc.
† 15. ? To be or occur as sequel (Schmidt), or ? To remain behind. Obs.
1607. Shaks., Timon, II. ii. 5. He … takes no accompt How things go from him, nor resumes no care of what is to continue.
† 16. To be attached or cohere to (so as to form a continuous mass). Obs.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 293. Such Bodies doe partly follow the Touch of another Body, and partly sticke and continue to themselues … as we see in Pitch, Glew, Birdlime, etc.
† III. 17. = CONTAIN. Obs.
[See the etymology, and cf. CONTAIN v. 17.]
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. IX. 177. And euery maner seculer þat may nouȝt continue [v.r. contene, conteyne], Wysly go wedde.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 349. Suche blasfemyes ben foundun & contynnued in þes sectis.
a. 1450. Knt. de la Tour, lxxxi. (1868), 105. Y haue spoke unto you of diuerse women … as it is continued in the bible.
1550. Gardiner, in Foxe, A. & M. (1563), 760 a. I receiued a letter … and toke it … to continue no effectual inhibicion.
1572. J. Jones, Bathes Buckstone, Pref. 8. If the style or endyting be best, which continueth the matter.
