Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Contingency \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.

Source : WordNet®

contingency
     n 1: a possible event or occurrence or result [syn: {eventuality},
           {contingence}]
     2: the state of being contingent on something