continue
UK[kənˈtɪnjuː]US[kənˈtɪnjuː]
v
to keep happening, existing, or doing something without stopping
v
to start again, or to start something again, after a pause or interruption
v
to go further in the same direction
Morpheme Breakdown
con
tinue
con
together, with, completely
tinue
to hold
Etymology
The word "continue" entered English in the 14th century from Old French continuer, which itself derived from Latin continuāre, meaning "to make or be continuous, to join together". The Latin verb is built from the prefix con- (intensifying "together") and the root tenuāre, a derivative of tenēre ("to hold"). The core logic is of holding things together without a break. Thus, the literal ancient sense of "holding together" evolved seamlessly into the modern abstract meanings of persisting without interruption or resuming after a pause, both implying an unbroken sequence.
Analysis
Structure: con + tinue
con: Latin origin, a prefix meaning "together, with, completely". In this word, it functions as an intensifier.
tinue: From Latin tenēre, meaning "to hold". In English spelling, it is adapted as the substring "tinue".
Examples
The rain is expected to continue throughout the night.
The story will be continued in next month's issue.
After a short break, we will continue our journey north.