contingent

- 4 dictionary results

–adjective

dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain; conditional (often fol. by on or upon): Our plans are contingent on the weather.

liable to happen or not; uncertain; possible: They had to plan for contingent expenses.

happening by chance or without known cause; fortuitous; accidental: contingent occurrences.

Logic. (of a proposition) neither logically necessary nor logically impossible, so that its truth or falsity can be established only by sensory observation.

–noun

a quota of troops furnished.

any one of the representative groups composing an assemblage: the new york contingent at a national convention.

the proportion that falls to one as a share to be contributed or furnished.

something contingent; contingency.

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Origin:
1350–1400; late ME (prp.) (< MF) < L contingent- (s. of contingēns, prp. of contingere), equiv. to con- con- + ting-, var. s. of tangere to touch + -ent- -ent

—Related forms

con·tin·gent·ly, adverb

non·con·tin·gent, adjective

non·con·tin·gent·ly, adverb

un·con·tin·gent, adjective

un·con·tin·gent·ly, adverb

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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
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World English Dictionary

contingent (kənˈtɪndʒənt)

—*adj* (when postpositive, often foll by on or upon)
1.	dependent on events, conditions, etc, not yet known; conditional
2.	logic (of a proposition) true under certain conditions, false under others; not necessary
3.	(in systemic grammar) denoting contingency (sense 4)
4.	metaphysics (of some being) existing only as a matter of fact; not necessarily existing
5.	happening by chance or without known cause; accidental
6.	that may or may not happen; uncertain

—n
7.	a part of a military force, parade, etc
8.	a representative group distinguished by common origin, interests, etc, that is part of a larger group or gathering
9.	a possible or chance occurrence

[C14: from Latin contingere to touch, fall to one's lot, befall; see also contact]

con'tingently

—*adv*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

contingent

late 14c., from L. contingentem (nom. contingens) "happening, touching," prp. of contingere "to touch" (see contact).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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