Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON'TI-NENT, a. [L. continens.]

1. Refraining from unlawful sexual commerce, or moderate in the indulgence of lawful pleasure; chaste.
2. Restrained; moderate; temperate. Have a continent forbearance. Shak.
3. Opposing; restraining. – Shak.
4. Continuous; connected; not interrupted; as, a continent fever. More generally we now say a continued fever. The northeast part of Asia, if not continent with America … – Brerewood.