Here's a breakdown of the meaning:
* Contiguous comes from the Latin word "contingere," meaning "to touch."
* It implies a direct connection or proximity.
* It suggests there is no space or interruption between the things that are contiguous.
Examples:
* "The two houses are contiguous, sharing a common wall."
* "The contiguous states of New York and Pennsylvania border each other."
* "The contiguous 48 states are all connected without any gaps."
In contrast:
* Adjacent means "next to," but doesn't necessarily imply a direct connection or touching. Two things can be adjacent without being contiguous.
* Continuous means "uninterrupted," but doesn't specify a spatial relationship. Something can be continuous without being contiguous.
To summarize: Contiguous describes a relationship where things are physically connected, touching at their boundaries.