Main Entry:: ¹con·tin·gent
Pronunciation:: \kən-ˈtin-jənt\
Function:: 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 : possible2: not logically necessary; especially : empirical3 a: happening by chance or unforeseen causes b: subject to chance or unseen effects : unpredictable c: intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen4: 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

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