Continental (adjective)

1. Relating to or characteristic of a continent.
2. Of or relating to the main landmass of a continent, especially Europe.
3. Of or relating to the mainland of a country as opposed to its islands.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old french, from latin continentalis, from continens 'lying together', from con- 'together' + tenere 'to hold'.

Examples:

1. The continental United States excludes Alaska and Hawaii.
2. The continental breakfast consisted of croissants and coffee.
3. The continental climate was characterized by cold winters and warm summers.
4. The continental shelf is a shallow, submarine platform that borders a continent.
5. The continental divide separates rivers flowing to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.