Homonym: Contingent (Dependent)
The term "contingent" refers to something that depends on certain conditions or events. For example, a contingent agreement in a contract means that the agreement will only take effect if specific criteria are met. This concept is often used in legal, business, and everyday contexts to indicate uncertainty or conditionality.
In a broader sense, "contingent" can also describe a group of people or things that are part of a larger whole but may not be guaranteed. For instance, a contingent workforce consists of temporary or freelance workers who are hired based on the needs of a company, rather than being permanent employees.