English word continent comes from Latin teneo, Latin con-

You can also see our other etymologies for the English word continent. Currently you are viewing the etymology of continent with the meaning: (Adjective) (obsolete) Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.. Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or [...](obsolete) Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.. Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or [...]

Detailed word origin of continent

Dictionary entry	Language	Definition
teneo	Latin (lat)	(of laws) I am binding on; bind, hold, obligate. (reflexive) I keep back, remain, stay, hold position. I comprise, contain, include, hold. I hold fast, restrain, detain, check, control; bind, fetter. I hold, have; grasp. I insist, uphold. I know, grasp, understand, conceive. I possess, occupy, control. I reach, attain; gain, acquire, obtain. I recollect, retain knowledge of, remember, bear [...]
con-	Latin (lat)	Used in compounds to indicate a being or bringing together of several objects. Used in compounds to indicate the completeness, perfecting of any act, and thus gives intensity to the signification of the simple word.
contineo	Latin (lat)	(of places) I enclose, bound, limit; comprise.. I check, curb, stop, tame, subdue.. I comprise, involve, contain.. I detain, restrain, repress, enclose.. I hold or keep together/close, surround, contain; connect.
continentem	Latin (lat)
continent	Old French (fro)
continent	English (eng)	(obsolete) Serving to restrain or limit; restraining; opposing.. Exercising self-restraint; controlled, temperate with respect to one's bodily needs or passions, especially sex, urination and/or defecation.. Not interrupted; connected; continuous.

Words with the same origin as continent