An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

Any of the large, continuous land areas of the Earth. They are usually considered to be seven: Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and Antarctica.

Etymology (EN): Contraction of L. terra continens “continuous land,” from continens, pr.p. of continere “to hold together,” from → com- “together” + tenere
“to hold, to keep, to maintain” from PIE root *ten- “to stretch;” → tension.

Etymology (PE): Qâré, from Ar. qârrat.