GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
last match results
Found 2 definitions
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Contingent (?), a. [L. contingens, -entis, p. pr. of contingere to touch on all sides, to happen; con- + tangere to touch: cf. F. contingent. See Tangent, Tact.]
1. Possible, or liable, but not certain, to occur; incidental; casual.
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Weighing so much actual crime against so much contingent advantage. Burke.
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2. Dependent on that which is undetermined or unknown; as, “the success of his undertaking is contingent upon events which he can not control”. “Uncertain and contingent causes.” Tillotson.
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3. (Law) Dependent for effect on something that may or may not occur; as, “a contingent estate”.
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If a contingent legacy be left to any one when he attains, or if he attains, the age of twenty-one. Blackstone.
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Contingent, n.
1. An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency.
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His understanding could almost pierce into future contingents. South.
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2. That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion; esp., a quota of troops.
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From the Alps to the border of Flanders, contingents were required . . . 200,000 men were in arms. Milman.
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