The word "contingent" is spelled with a "t" in the middle, which is pronounced as /t/. This is because the word originates from the Latin word "contingentem," which also had a "t" in the middle. The phonetic transcription of "contingent" is /kənˈtɪndʒənt/. The word can mean dependent on certain conditions, or a group of people representing an organization. Proper spelling of words is important in communicating effectively, as misspellings can lead to confusion and misunderstanding.
Contingent can be used as an adjective or noun with various meanings depending on the context.
As an adjective, contingent refers to something that is dependent on or influenced by something else. It implies that the occurrence or existence of an event or object is conditional upon or subject to certain circumstances. In this sense, it suggests that something may or may not happen, or that the outcome is uncertain or variable.
For example, if a team's success in a tournament is contingent on the weather conditions, it means that their performance and progress hinge on the weather being favorable or undesirable.
Contingent can also describe a group or subset of individuals who are part of a larger whole. It denotes a subgroup that is grouped based on specific characteristics, conditions, or requirements. For instance, a contingent of soldiers may refer to a group of soldiers who are assigned to perform a particular task or mission within a larger army.
As a noun, contingent refers to a representative group or body of people who have been selected or designated to accomplish a specific purpose or to represent a larger entity. It can also refer to a condition or event that is uncertain or depends on other factors. Overall, contingent implies a sense of dependency, conditionality, or variability in both its adjective and noun forms.
• Depending on something else; uncertain; incidental; casual.
• A quota; a suitable share; proportion; a fortuitous event.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "contingent" originated from the Latin term "contingere", which means "to touch" or "to happen". The term is formed by combining the prefix "con-" (meaning "together") and the verb "tangere" (meaning "to touch"). Ultimately, "contingent" refers to something that depends on or is influenced by something else, suggesting a sense of uncertainty or possibility, as events that "happen" or "touch" each other may be interconnected or dependent on one another.