Meaning & Definition of word "Continuum"
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Continuum
/kənˈtɪn.ju.əm/
noun:
- 1. A continuous sequence or progression of elements or values that differ only slightly from one another, forming a whole.
- Example: The color spectrum is often described as a continuum, with one color blending into the next without any distinct boundaries.
- 2. A range or series of related things that exist between two extremes.
- Example: The health care system is seen as a continuum, from preventative care to acute treatment and rehabilitation.
- 3. In mathematics, a set that is unbroken and contains all points between its limits.
- Example: In calculus, we often work with the continuum of real numbers, which includes all rational and irrational numbers.
- 4. A continuous entity that cannot be divided into distinct parts.
- Example: The continuum of time suggests that moments are not isolated but rather part of a flowing experience.
Etymology
From the Latin 'continuus', meaning 'uninterrupted'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
sliding scale:
A continuum that allows for gradual changes.
continuity of care:
A concept where patient care is uninterrupted over time.
on a continuum:
Describing something as existing along a range or spectrum.
Related Words
continuity:
The state of being continuous or unbroken.
concurrent:
Existing or occurring at the same time.
interval:
A space between two objects, points, or events.
Slang Meanings of continuum
Meaning: A simple term referring to a wide range of options or situations.
Example Sentence: That's just one option on the continuum of possibilities.
Meaning: A socio-political spectrum often used in discussions about ideologies.
Example Sentence: We need to consider where we fit on the political continuum.