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Contingently Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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contingently

[kənˈtɪn.dʒənt.li ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adverb

conditional basis

Contingently refers to something that occurs based on certain conditions or circumstances. This term often implies that the action or situation is not guaranteed and depends on specific factors.

Synonyms

conditionally, dependently, provisionally.

Examples of usage

  • She accepted the job offer contingently, pending a relocation agreement.
  • The event will proceed contingently on the weather conditions.
  • His participation was contingently approved by the board.
  • The contract was signed contingently upon funding being secured.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Philosophy

  • In philosophical discussions, 'contingent' refers to events that are not necessary, meaning they could either happen or not.
  • Many philosophers use the term to explore concepts of free will and determinism, discussing how events depend on choices.
  • Contingent claims are often contrasted with necessary truths, which must occur regardless of any conditions.

Legal Usage

  • In law, contingency clauses in contracts state that certain obligations must be fulfilled before a contract becomes valid.
  • Insurance policies often include contingent clauses that specify conditions under which claims can be made.
  • Legal cases can be contingent on the outcomes of other cases, showing how interconnected legal outcomes can be.

Science

  • Many scientific theories are contingent on experimental results, reflecting how findings can change with new data.
  • In ecology, the survival of species may be contingent on environmental conditions such as habitat and food availability.
  • The concept of contingency is fundamental in chaos theory, where small changes can drastically affect outcomes.

Everyday Life

  • Daily decisions can often be contingent; for example, your plans to go out might depend on the weather.
  • In personal relationships, people's feelings and actions can be contingent on the behavior of others.
  • Many jobs have contingency plans to address unforeseen events, highlighting preparedness in uncertain situations.

Origin of 'contingently'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'contingere', meaning 'to touch or happen'.
  • It evolved through Middle English, where it was first used in legal contexts to describe agreements dependent on specific conditions.
  • The root 'tingere' in Latin means 'to touch', emphasizing relationships between events.

The word 'contingently' stems from the Latin term 'contingere', which means 'to touch on all sides', combining 'con-' (together) and 'tangere' (to touch). The evolution of the term in English has retained the essence of dependency and possibility since its introduction in the Middle Ages through Latin scholars. It encompasses the idea that certainty in events is often absent and that these occurrences depend fundamentally on certain circumstances come into play. Over centuries, the usage of 'contingently' expanded across various fields including law, philosophy, and everyday decision-making, emphasizing the conditional nature of agreements, actions, or outcomes.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #30,326 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.