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Webster 1913 Edition


Contingency

Con-tin′gen-cy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Contingencies
(#)
.
[Cf. F.
contingence
.]
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.
Syn. – Casualty; accident; chance.

Webster 1828 Edition


Contingency

CONTINGENCE

, CONTINGENCY,
Noun.
[L., to fall or happen to; to touch. See Touch.]
1.
The quality of being contingent or casual; a happening; or the possibility of coming to pass.
We are not to build certain rules on the contingency of human actions.
2.
Casualty; accident; fortuitous event. The success of the attempt will depend on contingencies. [See Accident and Casualty.]

Definition 2024


contingency

contingency

English

Noun

contingency (countable and uncountable, plural contingencies)

  1. (uncountable) The quality of being contingent, of happening by chance; unpredictability. [1560s]
  2. (countable) A possibility; something which may or may not happen. A chance occurrence, especially in finance, unexpected expenses. [1610s]
  3. (countable) An amount of money which a party to a contract has to pay to the other party (usually the supplier of a major project to the client) if he or she does not fulfill the contract according to the specification.
  4. (logic, countable) A statement which is neither a tautology nor a contradiction.

Synonyms

  • (quality of happening by chance): possibility
  • See also Wikisaurus:option

Antonyms

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Translations