• noun:   a gathering of persons representative of some larger group

  Example: "Each nation sent a contingent of athletes to the Olympics"

• noun:   a temporary military unit

  Example: "The peace-keeping force includes one British contingent"

• adjective:   possible but not certain to occur

  Example: "They had to plan for contingent expenses"

• adjective:   uncertain because of uncontrollable circumstances

  Example: "The results of confession were not contingent, they were certain- George Eliot"

• adjective:   determined by conditions or circumstances not yet established

  Example: "Arms sales contingent on the approval of congress"

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