continuant

 
Pronunciation: /kənˈtɪnjʊənt/

noun

  • 1 Phonetics a consonant which is sounded with the vocal tract only partly closed, allowing the breath to pass through and the sound to be prolonged (as with f, l, m, n, r, s, v).
  • 2 Philosophy & Psychology a thing that retains its identity even though its states and relations may change.

adjective

  • relating to or denoting a continuant.

Origin:

early 17th century (as an adjective in the general sense 'continuing'): from French, from continuer, reinforced by Latin continuant- 'continuing', from the verb continuare, from continuus (see continuous). Current senses date from the 19th century