In a way that depends on uncertain circumstances or conditions; conditionally or by chance.
From contingent plus the adverbial suffix -ly. Contingent comes from Latin contingere (to touch, happen). The -ly suffix derives from Old English -lice, meaning 'in the manner of,' used to form adverbs from adjectives.
When something happens 'contingently,' it means the universe had to line up just right—if you hadn't missed that bus, you wouldn't have met your best friend, and your whole life would be different. That's the power hidden in this simple adverb.
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