contingent property

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Categories: Site glossary

a property something has that is not essential (an inherent property) but depends upon circumstances – so the density of a gas depends upon (and varies with) its temperature and pressure for example

[Please be aware that a word may have different nuances, or even a different meaning, according to context.]« Back to Index

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.