different between continual vs abiding

English

Alternative forms

• continuall (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle English continuel, from Old French continuel, formed from Latin continuus (“continuous”) with the suffix -el.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k?n?t?nju?l/, /k?n?t?nj?l/
• Hyphenation: con?tin?u?al, con?tin?ual

Adjective

continual (not comparable)

1. Recurring in steady, rapid succession.
2. (proscribed) Seemingly continuous; appearing to have no end or interruption.
3. (proscribed) Forming a continuous series.

Usage notes

In careful usage, continual refers to repeated actions “continual objections”, while continuous refers to uninterrupted actions or objects “continuous flow”, “played music continuously from dusk to dawn”. However, this distinction is not observed in informal usage, a noted example being the magic spell name “continual light” (unbroken light), in the game Dungeons & Dragons.

Related terms

• continuance
• continuation
• continue
• continuous
• continuum

Translations

References

Further reading

• continual in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• continual in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

Anagrams

• inoculant

English

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /??ba?.d??/
• Rhymes: -a?d??

Etymology 1

Present participle or participial adjective from abide (verb) +? -ing; or, from Middle English participle form of abiden, abyden (“to abide”).

Adjective

abiding (comparative more abiding, superlative most abiding)

1. Continuing or persisting in the same state: lasting, enduring; steadfast. [First attested around 1350 to 1470.]

Synonyms

• diuturnal, prolonged; see also Thesaurus:lasting

Translations

Verb

abiding

1. present participle of abide

Derived terms

Etymology 2

From Middle English abydynge, abidynge, -inge [verbal noun of abiden, abyden (“to abide”)], from Old English ab?dung; or, verbal noun from abide (verb) +? -ing.

Noun

abiding (plural abidings)

1. The action of one who abides; the state of an abider. [First attested from around 1150 to 1350.]
2. (obsolete) An abode. [First attested from around (1350 to 1470) until the early 17th century.]

References