continue

verb (-tinued; -tinuing) Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French continuer, from Latin continuare, from continuus Date: 14th century intransitive verb 1. to maintain without interruption a condition, course, or action <

the boat continued downstream

> 2. to remain in existence ; endure <

the tradition continues

> 3. to remain in a place or condition ; stay <

cannot continue here much longer

> 4. to resume an activity after interruption <

we'll continue after lunch

> transitive verb 1. a. keep up, maintain <

continues walking

> b. to keep going or add to ; prolong <

continue the battle

>; also to resume after intermission 2. to cause to continue <

chose not to continue her subscription

> 3. to allow to remain in a place or condition ; retain <

the trustees were continued

> 4. to postpone (a legal proceeding) by a continuance • continuer noun Synonyms: continue, last, endure, abide, persist mean to exist over a period of time or indefinitely. continue applies to a process going on without ending <

the search for peace will continue

>. last especially when unqualified, may stress existing beyond what is normal or expected <

buy shoes that will last

>. endure adds an implication of resisting destructive forces or agencies <

in spite of everything, her faith endured

>. abide implies stable and constant existing especially as opposed to mutability <

a love that abides through 40 years of marriage

>. persist suggests outlasting the normal or appointed time and often connotes obstinacy or doggedness <

the sense of guilt persisted

>.