资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Continental system \Continental system\ (Hist.)
   The system of commercial blockade aiming to exclude England
   from commerce with the Continent instituted by the

   {Berlin decree}, which Napoleon I. issued from Berlin Nov.
      21, 1806, declaring the British Isles to be in a state of
      blockade, and British subjects, property, and merchandise
      subject to capture, and excluding British ships from all
      parts of Europe under French dominion. The retaliatory
      measures of England were followed by the

   {Milan decree}, issued by Napoleon from Milan Dec. 17, 1807,
      imposing further restrictions, and declaring every ship
      going to or from a port of England or her colonies to be
      lawful prize.

Continental \Con`ti*nen"tal\, a.
   1. Of or pertaining to a continent.

   2. Of or pertaining to the main land of Europe, in
      distinction from the adjacent islands, especially England;
      as, a continental tour; a continental coalition.
      --Macaulay.

            No former king had involved himself so frequently in
            the labyrinth of continental alliances. --Hallam.

   3. (Amer. Hist.) Of or pertaining to the confederated
      colonies collectively, in the time of the Revolutionary
      War; as, Continental money.

            The army before Boston was designated as the
            Continental army, in contradistinction to that under
            General Gage, which was called the ``Ministerial
            army.''                               --W. Irving.

   {Continental Congress}. See under {Congress}.

   {Continental system} (Hist.), the blockade of Great Britain
      ordered by Napoleon by the decree of Berlin, Nov. 21,
      1806; the object being to strike a blow at the maritime
      and commercial supremacy of Great Britain, by cutting her
      off from all intercourse with the continent of Europe.