contributev.
/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/, /ˈkɒntrᵻbjuːt/, U.S. /kənˈtrɪbjut/ΚΠ
1559 W. Baldwin et al. Myrroure for Magistrates Edward IV. iii Graunted not she [Fortune] me to haue victory, In England to rayne and to contribute Fraunce?
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > fees and taxes > impost, due, or tax > tribute > pay or yield tribute [verb (intransitive)]
tributec1440
contributec1592
c1592 C. Marlowe Jew of Malta i, in 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. transitive.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > contribution > contribute [verb (transitive)]
contribute1530
confera1538
to scat and lot1560
to kick in1908
to put in1915
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 497/2 To se with howe good wyll they do contrybute their money.
1535 in J. Strype Eccl. Memorials (1721) I. App. lxiv. 158 That it may please the Kings Majesty..to contribute..with the said Princes, 100,000 crownes.
1707 J. Addison Present State War in Wks. (1746) III. 265 England contributes much more than any other of the Allies.
1758 S. Johnson Idler 6 May 33 Every hand is open to contribute something.
a1832 J. Mackintosh Hist. Revol. Eng. (1834) v. 144 The Princess of Orange contributed two hundred pounds to their relief.
b. intransitive or absol. To give or make contribution.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > payment > contribution > contribute [verb (intransitive)]
contributea1610
club1655
to club together1840
slump1849
to chip in1861
a1610 J. Healey tr. Theophrastus Characters (1636) xvii. 65 If his friends do contribute to supply his wants.
1651 T. Hobbes Philos. Rudim. 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 A. Smith Inq. Wealth of Nations II. v. ii. 423 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 S. Smiles Huguenots Eng. & Ireland ix. 217 A fund was raised..to which all parties cheerfully and liberally contributed.
4. transferred and figurative. To give or furnish along with others to a collective stock; to furnish an ‘article’ to a magazine, etc.
a. transitive.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (transitive)] > contribute
confer1528
battel1600
club1632
contribute1653
collate1655
society > communication > journalism > [verb (transitive)] > contribute articles
contribute1843
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler Ep. Ded. 6 It can contribute nothing to your knowledge. View more context for this quotation
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost viii. 155 Yet scarce to contribute Each Orb a glimps of Light. View more context for this quotation
1739 W. Melmoth Fitzosborne Lett. (1763) 7 Those who never contributed a single benefit to their own age.
1788 W. Cowper On Mrs. Montague's Feather-hangings 13 All tribes beside of Indian name..Whate'er they boast of rich and gay Contribute to the gorgeous plan.
1843 T. B. Macaulay (title) Critical and Historical Essays, contributed to the Edinburgh Review.
b. intransitive or absol.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > giving > give [verb (intransitive)] > contribute
contribute1864
society > communication > journalism > [verb (intransitive)] > contribute articles
contribute1864
1864 H. Bohn Lowndes' Bibliogr. Man. at Whewell Professor Whewell has contributed largely to the Philosophical Transactions.
1883 Liverpool Courier 25 Sept. 4/6 The Greeks contributed largely to the literature of the stars.
5. figurative. 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. transitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [verb (transitive)] > lend (aid) to bring about a result
contribute1634
conduce1717
1634 W. Tirwhyt tr. J. de La Motte Aigron in tr. J. L. G. de Balzac Lett. sig. A4v Is it not probable..that he would imploy, and contribute a more exact study and solicitude?
1635 T. May Victorious Reigne Edward III iii. sig. F8 How many Lands their severall shares of woe Must contribute to Philip's overthrow?
1651 R. Baxter Plain Script. Proof Infants Church-membership & Baptism 113 We will contribute our best endeavours thereto.
1790 W. Paley Horæ Paulinæ i. 8 Circumstances..which contributed strength to the conclusion.
1875 W. S. Jevons Money (1878) 158 This cause may contribute something to the effect observed.
b. More usually intransitive. to contribute to (also †for) or to do (anything): to do a part in bringing (it) about; to have a part or share in producing.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social relations > association, fellowship, or companionship > associate with [verb (transitive)] > participate with > participate in
enterparta1413
to be art and part in (also of)1442
to have art or (and) part ina1500
enjoin1546
share1570
to have (also take, etc.) a share in1572
to have a hand in1583
fellow1596
share1600
to contribute to (also for) or to do1605
to fall in1651
join1716
to opt into1968
the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > types of help > [verb (transitive)] > lend (aid) to bring about a result > lend contributory aid to
servea1398
to contribute to (also for) or to do1605
administer1608
surrogate1681
minister1696
ministrate1887
1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning i. sig. G4 Both heauen and earth doe conspire and contribute to the vse and benefite of man. View more context for this quotation
1705 J. Addison Remarks Italy 301 The same Cause that has rais'd the lower Grounds having contributed to sink..[the] higher.
1730 A. Gordon tr. F. S. Maffei Compl. Hist. Anc. Amphitheatres 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 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps 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.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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