'Contingent' definitions:

Definition of 'contingent'

From: WordNet
adjective
Possible but not certain to occur; "they had to plan for contingent expenses"
adjective
Determined by conditions or circumstances that follow; "arms sales contingent on the approval of congress" [syn: contingent, contingent on(p), contingent upon(p), dependent on(p), dependant on(p), dependent upon(p), dependant upon(p), depending on(p)]
adjective
Uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances; "the results of confession were not contingent, they were certain"- George Eliot
noun
A gathering of persons representative of some larger group; "each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics"
noun
A temporary military unit; "the peacekeeping force includes one British contingent" [syn: contingent, detail]

Definition of 'Contingent'

From: GCIDE
  • Contingent \Con*tin"gent\, 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Weighing so much actual crime against so much contingent advantage. --Burke. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. (Law) Dependent for effect on something that may or may not occur; as, a contingent estate. [1913 Webster]
  • If a contingent legacy be left to any one when he attains, or if he attains, the age of twenty-one. --Blackstone. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Contingent'

From: GCIDE
  • Contingent \Con*tin"gent\, n.
  • 1. An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency. [1913 Webster]
  • His understanding could almost pierce into future contingents. --South. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion; esp., a quota of troops. [1913 Webster]
  • From the Alps to the border of Flanders, contingents were required . . . 200,000 men were in arms. --Milman. [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'contingent'

From: Moby Thesaurus