con·tin·u·o 
(kən-tĭny-ō′)
(kən-tĭny-ō′)n. pl. con·tin·u·os
An independent bassline, usually realized on a keyboard instrument, in which numerals written underneath the notes indicate the kinds of harmony to be played. Also called basso continuo, figured bass, thoroughbass.
[Italian, from Latin continuus, continuous; see CONTINUE.]