Continuity definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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noun The state or quality of being continuous.
noun An uninterrupted succession or flow; a coherent whole.
noun A detailed script or scenario consulted to avoid discrepancies from shot to shot in a film, allowing the various scenes to be shot out of order.

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Uninterrupted connection of parts in space or time; uninterruptedness. To this habit of continuity of attention, tracing the first simple idea to its remoter consequences, the philosophical genius owes many of its discoveries. I. D'Israeli, Lit. Char., p. 178. To break the continuity of the land, and afford the easier and readier intercourse of water conveyance. D. Webster, Speech, June 5, 1828. Fire will live in it [vapor of the grotto del Cani] no longer than in water, because it wraps itself … about the flame, and by its continuity hinders … air and nitre from coming to its succour. Addison, Italy.
In mathematics and philosophy, a connection of points (or other elements) as intimate as that of the instants or points of an interval of time: thus, the continuity of space consists in this, that a point can move from any one position to any other so that at each instant it shall have a definite and distinct position in space. This statement is not, however, a proper definition of continuity, but only an exemplification drawn from time. The old definitions —the fact that adjacent parts have their limits in common (Aristotle), infinite divisibility (Kant), the fact that between any two points there is a third (which is true of the system of rational numbers)—are inadequate. The less unsatisfactory definition is that of G. Cantor, that continuity is the perfect concatenation of a system of points — words which must be understood in special senses. Cantor calls a system of points concatenated when any two of them being given, and also any finite distance, however small, it is always possible to find a finite number of other points of the system through which by successive steps, each less than the given distance, it would be possible to proceed from one of the given points to the other. He terms a system of points perfect when, whatever point not belonging to the system be given, it is possible to find a finite distance so small that there are not an infinite number of points of the system within that distance of the given point. As examples of a concatenated system not perfect, Cantor gives the rational and also the irrational numbers in any interval. As an example of a perfect system not concatenated, he gives all the numbers whose expression in decimals, however far carried out, would contain no figures except 0 and 9. The simplest of the Concrete Sciences, Astronomy and Geology, yield the idea of continuity with great distinctness. I do not mean continuity of existence merely; I mean continuity of causation: the unceasing production of effect — the never-ending work of every force. H. Spencer, Study of Sociol., p. 322. The motion of a material particle which has continuous existence in time and space is the type and exemplar of every form of continuity. Clerk Maxwell, Matter and Motion, Art. xxv.
In zoology and anatomy, that part of a thing which lies between the two ends, as the shaft of a long bone, or its diaphysis, as distinguished from its condyles or epiphyses, or the middle portion of the bill of a bird, as distinguished from the base and apex. [Chiefly an anatomical term, and especially a surgical one: as, the fracture of a bone in its continuity.]

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In practice this is done by means of a special instrument known as a continuity preserving transmitter, or, usually, as a transmitter. — Edison, His Life and Inventions
The third postulate is that of spatio-temporal continuity, which is mainly concerned to deny action at a distance. — My Philosophical Development
Rick recounts the last time (in my continuity, at any rate) that he saw Bruce Banner. — Comic Book Resources
For an Orthodox Christian, a sad aspect of this continuity is the Russian Orthodox Church's all-too-eager endorsement of authoritarian rule, which taints the promise of Christian revival. — Stromata Blog
"It has always been my goal to one day drive for Ferrari," Vettel told the German newspaper, "but continuity is also really important and that's why I am with Red Bull." — F1 Fanatic - The Formula 1 Blog | F1 video | F1 pictures | F1 news | Lewis Hamilton | Fernando Alonso

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continuity

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