Pronunciation and IPA:
The word "contiguous" comes from the Latin "contiguus," which means "touching" or "bordering upon." This Latin term derives from "contingere," meaning "to touch or be in contact with." The transition from the concept of touch to describing areas that share common borders reflects the usage of "contiguous" in modern English, often pertaining to geography but also applicable in other contexts where items or components are connected directly and without interruption.