These men also contributed to obstruct the progress of wisdom.
Goldsmith.
Con`tri*bu"tion (?), n. [L. contributio: cf. F. contribution.] 1. The act of contributing.
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.
A certain contribution for the poor saints which are at jerusalem.
Rom. xv. 26.
Aristotle's actual contributions to the physical sciences.
Whewell.
3. (Mil.) An irregular and arbitrary imposition or tax leved on the people of a town or country.
These sums, . . . and the forced contributions paid by luckless peasants, enabled him to keep his straggling troops together.
Motley.
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.
Con`tri*bu"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or furnishing, a contribution.
Con*trib"u*tive (?), a. Contributing, or tending to contribute. Fuller.
Con*trib"u*tor (?), n. One who, or that which, contributes; specifically, one who writes articles for a newspaper or magazine.
Con*trib"u*to*ry (?), 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.
Bonfires of contributory wood.
Chapman.
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.
Con*trib"u*to*ry, n.; pl. Contributories (&?;). One who contributes, or is liable to be called upon to contribute, as toward the discharge of a common indebtedness. Abbott.