contingent

views updated May 11 2018

con·tin·gent / kənˈtinjənt/ • adj. 1. subject to chance: the contingent nature of the job. ∎  (of losses, liabilities, etc.) that can be anticipated to arise if a particular event occurs. ∎  Philos. true by virtue of the way things in fact are and not by logical necessity: that men are living creatures is a contingent fact.2. (contingent on/upon) occurring or existing only if (certain other circumstances) are the case; dependent on: resolution of the conflict was contingent on the signing of a cease-fire agreement.• n. a group of people united by some common feature, forming part of a larger group. ∎  a body of troops or police sent to join a larger force in an operation.DERIVATIVES: con·tin·gent·ly adv.

Contingent

views updated May 21 2018

CONTINGENT

Fortuitous; dependent upon the possible occurrence of a future event, the existence of which is not assured.

The word contingent denotes that there is no present interest or right but only a conditional one which will become effective upon the happening of the designated condition. A contingent remainder is the right to possess property after the death of a person who holds a life estate in the land provided a specified condition is fulfilled. An owner of land who grants a life estate to a son, with a remainder to a daughter if she marries, has created a contingent remainder, the contingency being the daughter's marriage.

contingent

views updated May 21 2018

contingent liable to happen XIV; dependent upon or subject to conditions XVI; sb. †accident, possibility XVI; †proportion falling to one; spec. of troops contributed to a force XVIII. — L. contingēns, -ent-, prp. of contingere be CONTIGUOUS, in connection or in contact, befall.
So contingency XVI.

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contingent

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