con·tin·u·ance   (kən-tĭn'yōō-əns)    n.   The act or fact of continuing. The time during which something exists or lasts; duration. A continuation or sequel. Law Postponement or adjournment to a future date. Usage Note: Continuance is interchangeable with continuation in some of its senses. However, only continuance is used to refer to the duration of a state or condition, as in his continuance in office. Continuation applies especially to prolongation or resumption of action (a continuation of the meeting) or to physical extension (the continuation of the street). The continuation of a story is that part of the story following a break in its narration.

Continuance

Con*tin"u*ance\, n. [OF. continuance.]

1. A holding on, or remaining in a particular state; permanence, as of condition, habits, abode, etc.; perseverance; constancy; duration; stay.

Great plagues, and of long continuance. --Deut. xxviii. 59.

Patient continuance in well-doing. --Rom. ii. 7.

2. Uninterrupted succession; continuation; constant renewal; perpetuation; propagation.

The brute immediately regards his own preservation or the continuance of his species. --Addison.

3. A holding together; continuity. [Obs.] --Bacon.

4. (Law) (a) The adjournment of the proceedings in a cause from one day, or from one stated term of a court, to another. (b) The entry of such adjournment and the grounds thereof on the record.

Main Entry: con·tin·u·ance
Pronunciation: k&n-'ti-ny&-w&ns
Function: noun
: the postponement of the court proceedings in a case to a future day