contingent
[kuh n-tin-juh nt]
- dependent for existence, occurrence, character, etc., on something not yet certain; conditional (often followed 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.
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- 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 of contingent
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
unforeseen, detachment, batch, dependent, chance, incidental, probable, accidental, body, set, section, mission, quota, sect, deputation, bunch, disciples, casual, fluky, fortuitousExamples from the Web for contingent
Contemporary Examples
Former Texas governor Ann Richards was a big fan of the Texas Rangers, a contingent of which was her protective detail.
A notably large Irish contingent took part in the infamous draft riots because they did not want to compete for jobs with blacks.
Its future on the Great White Way is contingent on the Times review.
Characters in The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P. are “The Contingent Man and Woman.”
The victims were friends of his, as the Mexican and Russian contingent in the shop had grown close.
I Heard About the Latest Crazed Shooter While I Watched the World Cup with Guys He Almost KilledDaniel Genis
July 1, 2014
Historical Examples
The 58th Ohio, (German,) also contained a Cleveland contingent.
Cleveland Past and PresentMaurice Joblin
The contingent numbered sixteen Europeans, and about 350 natives.
Was crowned in Westminster Abbey, but without the American contingent.
Who Was Who: 5000 B. C. to DateAnonymous
He paid a contingent fee and was listed as one of the competitors.
Tom Swift and his Electric RunaboutVictor Appleton
In recent years preceding, the annual contingent had been about 430,000.
contingent
- (when postpositive, often foll by on or upon) dependent on events, conditions, etc, not yet known; conditional
- logic (of a proposition) true under certain conditions, false under others; not necessary
- (in systemic grammar) denoting contingency (sense 4)
- metaphysics (of some being) existing only as a matter of fact; not necessarily existing
- happening by chance or without known cause; accidental
- that may or may not happen; uncertain
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- a part of a military force, parade, etc
- a representative group distinguished by common origin, interests, etc, that is part of a larger group or gathering
- a possible or chance occurrence
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Word Origin
C14: from Latin contingere to touch, fall to one's lot, befall; see also contact
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for contingent
adj.
late 14c., from Old French contingent or directly from Latin contingentem (nominative contingens) "happening, touching," present participle of contingere "to touch" (see contact). The noun is from 1540s, "thing happening by chance;" as "a group forming part of a larger group" from 1727.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper