contingents
Sent representative bodies
Contingents are groups of people sharing a common origin or purpose within a larger assembly.
A delegation sent to represent a region is a contingent: the California contingent at the convention.
Military units contributed to a joint operation are contingents: NATO contingents deployed to the region.
The word emphasizes that these groups form part of something bigger while maintaining distinct identity.
Those acting for others
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- envoysOfficial diplomatic representatives
- diplomatsForeign government representatives
- emissariesOfficial representatives sent abroad
party · ambassadors · observers · voting bloc · convention delegates · state representatives · diplomatic mission
Mid-sized military unit
- regimentColonel-led military unit
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- squadSmall working group
- troopMobile group, organized
company · brigade · division · corps · detachment · force · garrison · expeditionary
Requiring outside support
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- subject toConditionally governed by
- circumstantialBased on inference, not proof
- uncertainNot firmly known
conditional · stipulated · qualified · hinging on · tied to · based on · variable · unpredictable
Group within group
- blocAllied group sharing interests
- cohortGroup sharing circumstances
- segmentDistinct part of whole
- sectorDistinct division of whole
wing · camp · constituency · supporters · interest group · chapter · caucus · splinter group
representatives
Those acting for others
- delegationTransferring responsibility downward
- envoysOfficial diplomatic representatives
- diplomatsForeign government representatives
emissaries · party · ambassadors · observers · voting bloc · convention delegates · state representatives · diplomatic mission
battalion
Mid-sized military unit
troop · company · brigade · division · corps · detachment · force · garrison · expeditionary · deployment
dependent
Requiring outside support
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
- subject toConditionally governed by
- circumstantialBased on inference, not proof
uncertain · conditional · stipulated · qualified · hinging on · tied to · based on · variable · unpredictable
faction
Group within group
sector · wing · camp · constituency · supporters · interest group · chapter · caucus · splinter group · subgroup
- factionsfactions, faction, splinter groups, splinter party, blocs
- UN PeacekeepingUN peacekeepers, peacekeeping missions, peacekeepers, blue helmets, peacekeeping troops
contingentstotality
Complete aggregate amount
whole · aggregate · entirety · full assembly · mass
contingentsstanding army
Continuously maintained military force
regular army · home guard · garrison · headquarters · central command
- contingency plansPrepared responses to problems
- contingency fundsReserved money for emergencies
- contingency planningPreparing for possible problems
- contingency feePayment from case winnings
- contingent uponRequiring something else first
- contingency clauseContract term allowing withdrawal