continuum       
noun [ C ]  social science specialized uk/kənˈtɪn.ju.əm/ us/kənˈtɪn.ju.əm/  continua uk/kənˈtɪn.ju.ə/ us/kənˈtɪn.ju.ə/ continuums
 连续体;渐变体;逐渐演变的事物
something that changes in character gradually or in very slight stages without any clear dividing points
  It's not "left-wing or right-wing" - political opinion is a long continuum. 这不是“左翼或右翼”的问题——政治观点是长期形成逐渐演变的。