Cŏn/tri-bū'tion, n.

n. [Lat. contributio, Fr. contribution, Pr. contribució, Sp. contribucion, It. contribuzione.]

1. The act of contributing, or of lending aid and assistance.
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.

Valerius Publicola was buried by a contribution of money gathered for him. Holland. The clergy, from whom, according to usage, a larger measure of contribution was demanded, stood upon their privilege to grant their money only in convocation. Hallam. 3. (Mil.) An imposition or tax levied on the people of a conquered town or country. These sums, together with the amounts pressed from the reluctant estates, 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 his share in a loss suffered, or in an amount paid, by one of their number for the common benefit.