\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.

\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
         contingets.                           --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.