Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “continue” come from?

Continue comes from Middle English continuen, from Old French continuer, from Latin continuare meaning to join together, derived from continuus meaning uninterrupted.

continue (English): To proceed with ; to prolong; To make last; to...

Definitions

  1. To proceed with ; to prolong; To make last; to...

Ancestry of “continue”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincontinuō—
2Latincontinuuscontinuous, uninterrupted, successive; straight,...
3LatincontineoI hold or keep together/close, surround, contain;...
4Latincōn-—
5Latincumwith, along with; at; -fold
6Old LatincomAlternative form of cum
7Proto-Italickomwith, along, at
8Proto-Indo-Europeanḱómbeside, near, by, with
9Proto-Indo-EuropeanḱeDeictic particle, here; Post-positional...
10Middle Englishkyt—
11Germankitt—
12Old High Germankuti—
13Proto-West Germanickwidugum, resin
14Proto-Germanickweduzresin
15Proto-Indo-Europeangʷet-resin, gum; to say, speak
16Proto-Indo-Europeangū-to bend; curve; arch; vault; to bow, bend, arch,...

Words derived from “continue”

  • continuant
  • continueth
  • continuer
  • continuest
  • continuable
  • recontinue
  • cont
  • noncontinuable
  • コンティニュー
Every word from Proto-Indo-European gū- →