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.
His understanding could almost pierce into future contingents.
South.
2.
That which falls to one in a division or
apportionment among
a number; a
suitable share; proportion; esp., a quota of troops.
From the Alps to the border
of Flanders, contingents were required . . . 200,000 men were in arms.
Milman.
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.
Weighing so much actual crime against so much contingent advantage.
Burke.
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.
3. (Law) Dependent for effect on
something that may or may not occur; as,
a contingent estate.
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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