contingency
UK[kənˈtɪndʒənsi]US[kənˈtɪndʒənsi]
n
a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty.
n
a provision for a possible event or circumstance.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
ting
ency
con
with
ting
touch
ency
noun suffix
Etymology
the word 'contingency' originates from the latin verb contingere, meaning 'to touch, meet, or befall', itself a compound of con- (with) and tangere (to touch). the core concept is of something that 'touches upon' or 'befalls' a situation, implying a connection that is not necessary but possible. through medieval latin contingentia, it evolved to denote the quality of being dependent on chance or uncertain conditions. in modern english, it retains this sense of a possible future event dependent on circumstances, preserving the ancient logic of an occurrence that merely 'touches upon' reality rather than being an intrinsic part of it.
Analysis
Structure: con (with) + ting (touch) + ency (noun suffix)
con- (latin origin, meaning 'with' or 'together', a prefix). ting- (from latin tangere, 'to touch', a root). -ency (latin origin, a noun-forming suffix indicating a state or quality).
Examples
we have a contingency plan in case the main system fails.
the contract includes clauses for various financial contingencies.
his promotion was contingent on the success of the project.