Late Middle English (c. 1350-1400), borrowed from Middle French contingent, which derives from Latin contingēns, the present participle of contingere ‘to touch together’.
Late Middle English (c. 1350-1400), borrowed from Middle French contingent, which derives from Latin contingēns, the present participle of contingere ‘to touch together’.
What does contingent mean?
It refers to a person or thing that exists only if certain other conditions are met.
How is contingent used as an adjective?
It describes something that is dependent on or conditioned by something else, so it will happen only if that other thing occurs.
What does contingent mean in a military context?
It is a body of people sent as a unit, often from a country or organization, to take part in an event or mission.
What does contingent mean in business or finance?
It denotes a potential obligation that may arise depending on the outcome of a future event.
Where does the word contingent come from?
It entered Late Middle English from Middle French contingent, which comes from Latin contingēns, the present participle of contingere meaning ‘to touch together’.