contingency
/kənˈtɪndʒənsɪ/noun
(pl. -ies)
1- a future event or circumstance which is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty可能发生的事件（或情况）; 不确定的事件（或情况）：
a detailed contract which attempts to provide for all possible contingencies.
一份试图为所有可能发生的意外情况未雨绸缪的详细合同。
1.1
- a provision for such an event or circumstance应急措施; 应急储备：
stores were kept as a contingency against a blockade.
备好储存品作为对付封锁的应急措施。
1.2
- an incidental expense应急开支：
allow an extra fifteen per cent on the budget for contingencies.
在预算中额外增加15％作为应急开支。
1.3
- mass noun the absence of certainty in events可能性; 偶然性; 不测, 意外：
the island's public affairs can occasionally be seen to be invaded by contingency.
偶尔能看见岛上的公共事务受到意外干扰。
1.4
- mass noun Philosophy the absence of necessity; the fact of being so without having to be so【哲】偶然性。
词源
mid 16th cent. (in the philosophical sense)： from late Latin contingentia （in its medieval Latin sense 'circumstance'）, from contingere 'befall' （see CONTINGENT）.