contingent

Syllabification: (con·tin·gent)

Pronunciation: /kənˈtinjənt/

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Definition of contingent

adjective

1subject to chance:the contingent nature of the job
(of losses, liabilities, etc.) that can be anticipated to arise if a particular event occurs:businesses need to be aware of their liabilities, both actual and contingent
Philosophy true by virtue of the way things in fact are and not by logical necessity:that men are living creatures is a contingent fact

2 (contingent on/upon) occurring or existing only if (certain other circumstances) are the case; dependent on:resolution of the conflict was contingent on the signing of a ceasefire agreement

noun

a group of people united by some common feature, forming part of a larger group:a contingent of Japanese businessmen attending a conference
a body of troops or police sent to join a larger force in an operation:a contingent of 2,000 marines

Derivatives

contingently

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'of uncertain occurrence'): from Latin contingere 'befall', from con- 'together with' + tangere 'to touch'. The noun sense was originally 'something happening by chance', then 'a person's share resulting from a division, a quota'; the current sense dates from the early 18th century

contingent in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of contingent in the British & World English dictionary

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Other

contingent

adjective

noun

Derivatives

contingently

Origin:

contingent in other Oxford dictionaries

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