To make continental in character; to organize or unite on a continental scale; to bring under continental influence or control.
From 'continental' + '-ize' (verb suffix meaning to make or become). The suffix '-ize' converts the adjective into a verb describing the action of making something continental.
This verb appears in historical texts about empires trying to continentalize their territories—like how the Romans tried to 'continentalize' Europe under their rule, which is just a fancy way of saying 'impose continental unity'!
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