continuance

continuance
continuance, continuation, continuity
1. Continuance (14c) is much less common than continuation (also 14c). It is used when the context requires the meaning ‘a state of continuing in existence or operation’ (i.e. a fact) rather than ‘the act or an instance of continuing’ (i.e. a process), which calls for continuation. Examples:

• The step-up in the air war might even jeopardize the continuation of the talks themselves —Newsweek, 1972

• Tiering [of dresses] is a continuation of the peasant theme that has been with us for what seems like a long, long time —Detroit Free Press, 1978

• Confusion has arisen about their desperate continuance of the struggle which was manifestly lost —Antonia Fraser, 1988

• The continuance of hunting is the bastion for the defence of every other legitimate country sport —Bristol Evening Post, 2003.

2. Continuity means ‘the state of being continuous’ or (more concretely) ‘an unbroken succession (of a set of events)’:

• Each shipment of wood parts will have a continuity of quality —House and Garden, 1972

• The Homewood is the only substantial prewar modernist house with continuity of occupation and contents —Guardian, 2003.

It has a special meaning in the cinema and broadcasting, denoting the process whereby separate shots or recordings are linked together to form a continuous sequence with consistent details.

Modern English usage. 2014.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • continuance — con·tin·u·ance /kən ti nyə wəns/ n: the postponement of the court proceedings in a case to a future day Merriam Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam Webster. 1996. continuance …   Law dictionary

  • Continuance — Con*tin u*ance, n. [OF. continuance.] 1. A holding on, or remaining in a particular state; permanence, as of condition, habits, abode, etc.; perseverance; constancy; duration; stay. [1913 Webster] Great plagues, and of long continuance. Deut.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • continuance — mid 14c., a keeping up, a going on, from O.Fr. continuance (13c.), from continuer (see CONTINUE (Cf. continue)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • continuance — *continuation, continuity Analogous words: endurance, persistence, lasting (see corresponding verbs at CONTINUE): perseverance, persistence (see corresponding verbs at PERSEVERE): remaining, staying, tarrying (see STAY) …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • continuance — [n] duration constancy, continuation, endurance, extension, guts*, longevity, period, permanence, perpetuation, protraction, run, survival, term, vitality; concepts 637,804,807 Ant. arrest, end, ending, finish, hindrance, obstruction, stop,… …   New thesaurus

  • continuance — [kən tin′yo͞o əns] n. [OFr: see CONTINUE] 1. the act or process of continuing, or lasting 2. the time during which an action, process, or state lasts; duration 3. the fact of remaining (in a place or condition); stay 4. Rare continuation; sequel… …   English World dictionary

  • Continuance — In American procedural law, a continuance is the postponement of a hearing, trial, or other scheduled court proceeding at the request of either or both parties in the dispute, or by the judge sua sponte. In response to delays in bringing cases to …   Wikipedia

  • continuance — n. adjournment (legal) (AE) to grant a continuance * * * [kən tɪnjʊəns] [ adjournment ] (legal) (AE) to grant a continuance …   Combinatory dictionary

  • continuance — [[t]kəntɪ̱njuəns[/t]] N UNCOUNT: usu with poss The continuance of something is its continuation. [FORMAL] ...thus ensuring the continuance of the human species. Syn: continuation …   English dictionary

  • continuance — noun 1) concerned with the continuance of life See continuation 2) the prosecution sought a continuance Syn: adjournment, postponement, deferment, stay …   Thesaurus of popular words

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