Word Study
continuo
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun continuo has 1 sense
- continuo(n = noun.communication) basso continuo, figured bass, thorough bass - a bass part written out in full and accompanied by numbers to indicate the chords to be played; Array is a kind of bass, bass part
OXFORD DICTIONARY
continuo, n. (pl. -os) Mus. an accompaniment providing a bass line and harmonies which are indicated by figures, usu. played on a keyboard instrument.
Etymology
basso continuo (It., = continuous bass)
For further exploring for "continuo" in Webster Dictionary Online