An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A continuous extent or succession, which has no discrete parts, as the continuum of real numbers as opposed to the sequence of discrete integers. → continuum emission.

Etymology (EN): From L. neut. of continuus, → continuous

Etymology (PE): Peyvastâr, from peyvast past tense stem of peyvastan “to connect, join,” Mid.Pers. paywastan, from *pati-basta-, from suffix pati- (Mid.Pers. pât-, from O.Pers. paity “agaist, back, opposite to, toward, face to face, in front of,” Av. paiti, akin to Skt. práti “toward, against, again, back, in return, opposite,” Pali pati-, Gk. proti, pros “face to face with, toward, in addition to, near;” PIE *proti) + basta- “tied, shut” (Av./O.Pers. band- “to bind, fetter,” banda- “band, tie,” Skt. bandh- “to bind, tie, fasten,” PIE *bhendh- “to bind,” cf. Ger. binden, E. bind), cf. Skt. prati-bandh- “to tie.” + -âr suffix forming verbal noun.