In a message dated 11/24/2006 3:15:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, Rdpiet@aol.com writes: Then there is also the word Contiguous....what did I miss ?? Definitions of 'contiguous' (kən-tĭgyū-əs) - 3 definitions - The American Heritage® Dictionary contiguous(adj.)Sharing an edge or boundary; touching. contiguous(adj.)Neighboring; adjacent. contiguous(adj.)Connecting without a break: the 48 contiguous states. While both expressions are similar, maybe even synonymous in some cases, I take it that conterminous (or coterminous) might mean more that they share the same border (on the same side of the border) as to contiguous where they may share a neighboring border , like being on the otherside of the border from each other. I've been a word lover since childhood and don't find many new words at my age (79) but this was a first to me! I get on www.ask.com and hit the selection "dictionary" to check on these things!