Continuum

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kÉ™nˈtɪnjuÉ™m/

Origin

From Latin continuum, neuter form of continuus, from contineō ("contain, enclose")

Full definition of continuum

Noun

1. A continuous series or whole, no part of which is noticeably different from its adjacent parts, although the ends or extremes of it are very different from each other.
2. A continuous extent.
• 2012-03, Henry Petroski, Opening Doors, A doorknob of whatever roundish shape is effectively a continuum of levers, with the axis of the latching mechanism—known as the spindle—being the fulcrum about which the turning takes place.
3. (mathematics) The set of all real numbers and, more generally, a compact connected metric space.
4. (musical instruments) A touch-sensitive strip, similar to an electronic standard musical keyboard, except that the note steps are of a semitone, and so are not separately marked.

Related terms

• continuous
• continuum hypothesis (by Georg Cantor)
• continuum theory