Con‐tin″gent, n. 1. An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency.
His understanding could almost pierce into future contingents.
South.
2. That which falls to one in a division or apportionment among a number; a suitable share; proportion; esp., a quota of troops.
From the Alps to the border of Flanders, contingents were required... 200,000 men were in arms.
Milman.