Continuité

Continuité is a French term meaning the state of being continuous or unbroken. It denotes coherence across time, space, or a sequence of events and objects. In general usage it contrasts with disruption or fragmentation, highlighting seamless connection in a process or narrative. The term derives from Latin continuus.

In mathematics, continuity describes a function that preserves closeness: small changes in input yield small changes in output. The formal definitions use limits or topological preimages of open sets, and continuity underpins calculus, analysis, and many numerical methods.

In film and media, continuity refers to maintaining coherent spatial and temporal relations across shots. A continuity editor tracks props, costumes, lighting, and stage geography to prevent jump cuts or mismatches that break the viewer's sense of a single, continuous scene.

In physics and engineering, the term appears in the continuity equation, expressing the conservation of mass, charge, or energy in a flowing medium. It enforces that the amount entering a region equals the amount leaving, accounting for sources and sinks.

Business continuity refers to planning and preparations that ensure essential functions keep operating during and after disruptions, including risk assessment, data backups, and recovery strategies. The concept also extends to healthcare, information systems, and disaster management, focusing on resilience and rapid restoration.

Philosophically, continuité can refer to the continuity of self or experience over time, addressing how memory, change, and narrative create a sense of personal identity despite transformation.