I. kən-ˈtin-jənt adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin contingent-, contingens, present participle of contingere to have contact with, befall, from com- + tangere to touch — more at tangent
Date: 14th century
1. : likely but not certain to happen : possible
2. : not logically necessary ; especially : empirical
3.
a. : happening by chance or unforeseen causes
b. : subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable
c. : intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen
4. : dependent on or conditioned by something else
payment is contingent on fulfillment of certain conditions
5. : not necessitated : determined by free choice
Synonyms: see accidental
• con·tin·gent·ly adverb
II. noun
Date: 1548
1. : something contingent : contingency
2. : a representative group : delegation , detachment
a diplomatic contingent