Contingency, n,; pl. Contingencies.
Etymology: [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.
3 more senses
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.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for contingency; he lists it under accident, event, hazard.
Where he writes about it:
Since the future is contingent, event comes to have the meaning of a contingency; as, in the event of his death, the policy will at once fall due. — from event
A contingency is simply an indeterminable future event, which may or may not be attended with danger or risk. — from hazard