Noah Webster
Contingency
CONTINGENCE, CONTINGENCY noun [Latin , to fall or happen to; to touch. See Touch.]
1. The quality of being contingent or casual; a happening; or the possibility of coming to pass.
We are not to build certain rules on the CONTINGENCY of human actions.
2. Casualty; accident; fortuitous event. The success of the attempt will depend on contingencies. [See Accident and Casualty.]