contribute, v.
(kənˈtrɪbjuːt)
[f. L. contribūt- ppl. stem of contribuĕre to bring together, add, contribute, f. con- together + tribuĕre to bestow. (Formerly stressed ˈcontribute, which is still dial. and colloq.)]
† 1. trans. To make tributary, levy tribute upon. Obs. rare—1.
| 1559 Skelton in Mirr. Mag., Edw. IV, iii, Graunted not she [Fortune] me to haue victory, In England to rayne and to contribute Fraunce? |
† 2. intr. To pay tribute (to). Obs.
| c 1592 Marlowe Jew of Malta i. Wks. (Rtldg.) 148/1 Long to the Turk did Malta contribute; Which tribute, etc. |
3. To give or pay jointly with others; to furnish to a common fund or charge. a. trans.
| 1530 Palsgr. 497/2 To se with howe good wyll they do contrybute their money. 1535 in Strype Eccl. Mem. I. App. lxiv. 158 That it may please the Kings Majesty..to contribute..with the said Princes, 100,000 crownes. 1707 Addison Pres. State War Wks. 1746 III. 265 England contributes much more than any other of the Allies. 1758 Johnson Idler No. 4 ¶7 Every hand is open to contribute something. a 1832 Mackintosh Revol. Wks. 1846 II 156 The Princess of Orange contributed two hundred pounds to their relief. |
b. intr. or absol. To give or make contribution.
| a 1610 Healey Theophrast. xvii. (1636) 65 If his friends do contribute to supply his wants. 1651 Hobbes Govt. & Soc. xiii. §11. 200 Whether Subjects ought to contribute to the publique, according to the rate of what they gain, or of what they spend. 1776 Adam Smith W.N. v. ii. (1869) II. 414 The subjects of every state ought to contribute towards the support of the government, as nearly as possible, in proportion to their respective abilities. 1867 Smiles Huguenots Eng. xi. (1880) 188 A fund was raised..to which all parties cheerfully and liberally contributed. |
4. transf. and fig. To give or furnish along with others to a collective stock; to furnish an ‘article’ to a magazine, etc. a. trans.
| 1653 Walton Angler Ep. Ded. 6 It can contribute nothing to your knowledge. 1667 Milton P.L. viii. 155 Yet scarce to contribute Each Orb a glimps of Light. 1739 W. Melmoth Fitzosb. Lett. (1763) 7 Those who never contributed a single benefit to their own age. 1788 Cowper On Mrs. Mountagu's Feather-hangings 13 All tribes beside of Indian name..Whate'er they boast of rich and gay Contribute to the gorgeous plan. 1843 Macaulay (title) Critical and Historical Essays, contributed to the Edinburgh Review. |
b. intr. or absol.
| 1864 Bohn Lowndes' Bibliogr. Manual s.v. Whewell, Professor Whewell has contributed largely to the Philosophical Transactions. 1883 L'pool Courier 25 Sept. 4/6 The Greeks contributed largely to the literature of the stars. |
5. fig. To give or furnish along with others towards bringing about a result; to lend (effective agency or assistance) to a common result or purpose. a. trans.
| 1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. Balzac's Lett. A iv b, Is it not probable..that he would imploy, and contribute a more exact study and solicitude? 1635 May Edw. III, iii, How many Lands their severall shares of woe Must contribute to Philip's overthrow? 1651 Baxter Inf. Bapt. 113 We will contribute our best endeavours thereto. 1790 Paley Horæ Paul. i. 8 Circumstances..which contributed strength to the conclusion. 1875 Jevons Money (1878) 158 This cause may contribute something to the effect observed. |
b. More usually intr. to contribute to (also † contribute for) or contribute to do (anything): to do a part in bringing (it) about; to have a part or share in producing.
| 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. i. v. §11 Both heaven and earth do conspire and contribute to the use and benefit of man. 1704 Addison Italy 301 The same Cause that has rais'd the lower Grounds having contributed to sink..[the] higher. 1730 A. Gordon Maffei's Amphith. 358 It might have contributed not a little for draining the Water. 1820 W. Irving Sketch Bk. I. 196 He contributed greatly to improve the national music. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xii. 90 If I thought his presence would in any degree contribute to my comfort. 1885 Act 48 Vict. c. 16 §8 Where any burgh has ceased..to return or to contribute to return a member to Parliament. |