| n. | 1. | A holding on, or remaining in a particular state; permanence, as of condition, habits, abode, etc.; perseverance; constancy; duration; stay. |
| 2. | Uninterrupted succession; continuation; constant renewal; perpetuation; propagation. | |
| 3. | A holding together; continuity. | |
| 4. | (Law) The adjournment of the proceedings in a cause from one day, or from one stated term of a court, to another. |
| Noun | 1. | continuance - the act of continuing an activity without interruption Synonyms: continuation Antonyms: discontinuance, discontinuation - the act of discontinuing or breaking off; an interruption (temporary or permanent) |
| 2. | continuance - the period of time during which something continues Synonyms: duration | |
| 3. | continuance - the property of enduring or continuing in time Synonyms: duration |
CONTINUANCE, practice. The adjournment of a cause from one day to another is
called a continuance, an entry of which is made upon the record.
2. If these continuances are omitted, the cause is thereby
discontinued, and the defendant is discharged sine die, (q.v.) without a
day, for this term. By his appearance he has obeyed the command of the writ,
and, unless he be adjourned over to a certain day, he is no longer bound to
attend upon that summons. 3 Bl. Com. 316.
3. Continuances may, however, be entered at any time, and if not
entered, the want of them is aided or cured by the appearance of the
parties; and Is a discontinuance can never be objected to pendente placito,
so after the judgment it is cured by the statute of jeofails[?]. Tidd's Pr.
628, 835.
4. Before the declaration the continuance is by dies datus prece
partium; after the declaration and before issue joined, by imparlance; after
issue joined and before verdict, by vicecomes non misit breve; and after
verdict or demurrer by curia advisare vult. 1 Chit. Pl. 421, n. (p); see
Vin. Abr. 454; Bac. Abr. Pleas, &c. P; Bac. Abr. Trial, H.; Com. Dig.
Pleader, V. See, as to the origin of continuances, Steph. Pl. 31; 1 Ch. Pr.
778, 779.