English

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Etymology

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From earlier contributary, from Middle English contributarie, from con- +‎ tributarie after Middle French contributaire.

Pronunciation

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Adjective

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contributory (comparative more contributory, superlative most contributory)

  1. Of, pertaining to, or involving a contribution.
  2. Tending to contribute to a result.
  3. (obsolete) Paying tribute, tributary.

Derived terms

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Translations

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Noun

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contributory (plural contributories)

  1. A person or thing that contributes.
    • 1947 January and February, Cecil J. Allen, “British Locomotive Practice and Performance”, in Railway Magazine, page 39:
      The response to firing is remarkable, and though the 280 lb. pressure seems more in the nature of a reserve for emergencies than a continuous working figure, even with the present-day apology for coal it seldom fell below 250 lb., and could always be brought up to blowing-off point with little difficulty. To this liveliness of steaming the thermic syphons are doubtless the chief contributory.

References

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