adj. possible, but not certain.

late 14c., from Old French contingent or directly from Latin contingentem (nominative contingens) "happening, touching," present participle of contingere "to touch" (see contact). [..]

small, designated part of a larger group.

Uncertain or dependent on something else. (See also: contingent beneficiary, contingent interest, contingent fee)

possible but not certain to occur; "they had to plan for contingent expenses" a gathering of persons representative of some larger group; "each nation sent a con [..]

adj. Not predictable.

The status of a proposition that could, depending upon the circumstances, be either true or false. See necessary / contingent. A compound statement in the propositional calculus is contingent if its t [..]

A military unit.

1 : likely but not certain to happen compare executory 2 : intended for use in circumstances not completely foreseen [a fund] 3 : dependent on or conditioned by something else [a claim] [a legacy ...

For liabilities that do not yet appear on the balance sheet such as guarantees, supports, and lawsuits.  For support or recourse, the trigger may occur anytime.

Contingent refers to an event that may or may not happen;something that is possible, uncertain or unpredictable. For example the trust was contingent. It could also mean dependent on something else; c [..]

(n) a gathering of persons representative of some larger group(n) a temporary military unit(adj) possible but not certain to occur(adj) determined by conditions or circumstances that follow(adj) uncer [..]

dependent on something not yet certain, conditional; accidental; not necessary.

An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency. That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number [..]

In context of liabilities, those liabilities that do not yet appear on the balance sheet (ie. guarantees, supports, lawsuit settlements). For support or recourse, the trigger may occur at any time in [..]