Soldiers of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, or people from continental Europe.
From continental (relating to a continent or large land mass), from Latin continens (holding together), from con- + tenere (to hold). Continentals became a historical term specifically for Revolutionary War soldiers.
During the American Revolution, Continental soldiers were often poorly paid and ragged—George Washington's army—yet the word became a badge of honor, proof that you could be a 'continental' (part of this vast continental experiment) fighting for something bigger than yourself.
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