brand name of an oxycodone compound marketed in U.S. from 1996. Second element from continuous (i.e. "time-released").
Entries linking to oxycontin
oxycodone n.
from (hydr)oxy(l) + codeine. Developed 1916 in Germany; introduced in U.S. 1939.
continuous adj.
"characterized by continuity, not affected by disconnection or interruption," 1640s, from French continueus or directly from Latin continuus "joining, connecting with something; following one after another," from continere (intransitive) "to be uninterrupted," literally "to hang together" (see contain). Related: Continuously; continuousness.