continuum
Meaning: A continuous sequence in which adjacent elements are not perceptibly different from each other, but the extremes are quite distinct.
Continuum is used in science, philosophy, and social science to describe gradual transitions rather than sharp boundaries. The colour spectrum is a continuum; political beliefs exist on a continuum from left to right. The word emphasises that categories often blur into one another rather than forming neat boxes. The plural can be either 'continua' (formal) or 'continuums.' Common collocations include 'along a continuum,' 'on a continuum,' and 'space-time continuum.'
Examples
- Mental health exists on a continuum, with no sharp dividing line between wellness and illness. 心理健康存在于一个连续体上,健康与疾病之间没有明确的分界线。La salud mental se sitúa en un continuo, sin una línea divisoria nítida entre el bienestar y la enfermedad.精神的健康は連続体上にあり、健康と病気の間に明確な境界線は存在しない。정신 건강은 연속체 위에 존재하며, 건강과 질병 사이에 뚜렷한 경계선은 없다.
- The political landscape can be understood as a continuum rather than a simple left-right divide. 政治版图可以被理解为一个连续体,而不是简单的左右对立。El panorama político puede entenderse como un continuo y no como una simple división entre izquierda y derecha.政治的状況は単純な左右の対立ではなく、連続体として理解することができる。정치적 지형은 단순한 좌우 대립이 아니라 연속체로서 이해할 수 있다.
- Einstein's theory of relativity reconceived space and time as a unified space-time continuum. 爱因斯坦的相对论将空间与时间重新构想为一个统一的时空连续体。La teoría de la relatividad de Einstein reconceptualizó el espacio y el tiempo como un continuo espacio-temporal unificado.アインシュタインの相対性理論は、空間と時間を統一された時空連続体として再構想した。아인슈타인의 상대성 이론은 공간과 시간을 통합된 시공간 연속체로 재구상했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, scientific, media
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Latin continuum (a continuous thing), neuter of continuus (unbroken, connected), from continere (to hold together). The word was adopted directly from Latin into English in the 17th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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