WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Con*tin"gen*cy
Part of Speech : n,;
Etymology : [Cf. F. contingence.]
Definition : 1. Union or connection; the state of touching or contact. "Point of contingency." J. Gregory.

2. The quality or state of being contingent or casual; the possibility of coming to pass. Aristotle says we are not to build certain rules on the contingency of human actions. South.

3. An event which may or may not occur; that which is possible or probable; a fortuitous event; a chance. The remarkable position of the queen rendering her death a most important contingency. Hallam.

4. An adjunct or accessory. Wordsworth.

5. (Law)

Defn: A certain possible event that may or may not happen, by which, when happening, some particular title may be affected.

Syn. -- Casualty; accident; chance.

pl. Contingencies.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913