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contingent

10 ENTRIES FOUND:

1con·tin·gent

adj \kən-ˈtin-jənt\

Definition of CONTINGENT

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
con·tin·gent·ly adverb

Examples of CONTINGENT

  1. The isolation and co-optation of the capitalist classes in Germany meant that liberty as an ideal had no contingent link with capitalism, as had happened in Western Europe. —Orlando Patterson, New Republic, 8 Nov. 1999

Origin of CONTINGENT

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
First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with CONTINGENT

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