a. Capable of being contributed. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Contributory. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Tributary; contributing. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

It was situated on the Ganges, at the place where this river received a contributary stream. D'Anville (Trans. ). [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To give a part to a common stock; to lend assistance or aid, or give something, to a common purpose; to have a share in any act or effect. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are engaged in war; the secretary of state calls upon the colonies to contribute. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give or use one's power or influence for any object; to assist. [ 1913 Webster ]

These men also contributed to obstruct the progress of wisdom. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Contributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Contributing. ] [ L. contributus, p. p. of contribuere to bring together, to add; con- + tribuere to grant, impart. See Tribute. ] To give or grant i common with others; to give to a common stock or for a common purpose; to furnish or suply in part; to give (money or other aid) for a specified object; as, to contribute food or fuel for the poor. [ 1913 Webster ]

England contributes much more than any other of the allies. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. contributio: cf. F. contribution. ] 1. The act of contributing. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is contributed; -- either the portion which an individual furnishes to the common stock, or the whole which is formed by the gifts of individuals. [ 1913 Webster ]

A certain contribution for the poor saints which are at jerusalem. Rom. xv. 26. [ 1913 Webster ]

Aristotle's actual contributions to the physical sciences. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil.) An irregular and arbitrary imposition or tax leved on the people of a town or country. [ 1913 Webster ]

These sums, . . . and the forced contributions paid by luckless peasants, enabled him to keep his straggling troops together. Motley. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Law) Payment, by each of several jointly liable, of a share in a loss suffered or an amount paid by one of their number for the common benefit. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or furnishing, a contribution. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Life Insurance) A plan of distributing surplus by giving to each policy the excess of premiums and interest earned thereon over the expenses of management, cost of insurance, and the policy value at the date of computation. This excess is called the contribution of the policy. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. Contributing, or tending to contribute. Fuller. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, contributes; specifically, one who writes articles for a newspaper, magazine, or book. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Contributing to the same stock or purpose; promoting the same end; bringing assistance to some joint design, or increase to some common stock; contributive. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bonfires of contributory wood. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contributory negligence (Law), negligence by an injured party, which combines with the negligence of the injurer in producing the injury, and which bars recovery when it is the proximate cause of the injury. Wharton. [ 1913 Webster ]