Con*tin"gen*cy (?), n.; 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.
5. (Law) A certain possible event
that may or may not happen, by which, when happening, some
particular title may be affected.
Syn. -- Casualty; accident; chance.
