Continental

[kon-tn-en-tl] /ˌkɒn tnˈɛn tl/

adjective
1.
of or of the nature of a .
2.
(usually initial capital letter) of or relating to the mainland of Europe, to Europeans, or to European customs and attitudes.
3.
(initial capital letter) of or relating to the 13 original American colonies during and immediately after the American Revolution.
4.
of or relating to the of North America.
noun
5.
(initial capital letter) a soldier of the Continental Army in the American Revolution.
6.
a piece of paper currency issued by the Continental Congress during the American Revolution.
7.
a small amount:
advice that’s not worth a continental.
8.
an inhabitant of a .
9.
(usually initial capital letter) an inhabitant of the mainland of Europe.
/ˌkɒntɪˈnɛntəl/
adjective
1.
of or characteristic of Europe, excluding the British Isles
2.
of or relating to the 13 original British North American colonies during and immediately after the War of American Independence
noun
3.
(sometimes not capital) an inhabitant of Europe, excluding the British Isles
4.
a regular soldier of the rebel army during the War of American Independence
5.
(US, history) a currency note issued by the Continental Congress
adj.

1818 as a purely geographical term, from continent + -al (1). In reference to the European mainland (as opposed to Great Britain), recorded from 1760. Continental breakfast (the kind eaten on the continent as opposed to the kind eaten in Britain) is attested by 1855. In reference to the British American colonies from 1774; the Continental Congress is attested from 1775; continental divide in use by 1865; continental rise in geology from 1959; continental slope from 1907. Continental shelf first attested 1888.