I think the definition has to do with the way in which is it applied.. we buy it by the gallon.... but don't use it very fast ... so we also buy the solvent... it can be made as spreadable as you need... and on porous stuff you may want to use two light coats instead of one thick one...
But the idea is ... it sticks (best) TO ITSELF.... contact with itself is the criteria for its definition ( as far as I know )... as Contact cement.
And it may have been named primarily in relation to Rubber Cement.. which was developed for graphics and newspaper people so they could put something on, adjust it, and take it off if they needed to... without it messing up the paper....
So this is " IF you CONTACT it you will NOT be able to MOVE IT".... LOL
Ok,,, this type of glue is great... so in the ' more information than you ever wanted to know'.... if you have two large surfaces which flex that you need to put together then you start on one edge... and use waxed paper to keep them apart.. pulling it away while you compress them ( hopefully) where you want them.....
OK ! GO GLUE !!!