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contributory

[kuh n-trib-yuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee]
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adjective
  1. pertaining to or of the nature of contribution; contributing.
  2. furnishing something toward a result: a contributory factor.
  3. of, relating to, or constituting an insurance or pension plan the premiums of which are paid partly by an employer and partly by employees.
  4. subject to contribution or levy.
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noun, plural con·trib·u·to·ries.
  1. a person or thing that contributes.
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Origin of contributory

1375–1425; late Middle English contributorie < Medieval Latin contribūtōrius. See contribute, -tory1
Related formsnon·con·trib·u·to·ry, adjective, noun, plural non·con·trib·u·to·ries.un·con·trib·u·to·ry, adjective

Synonyms

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2. accessory, ancillary.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for contributory

contributory

adjective
  1. (often foll by to) sharing in or being partly responsible (for the cause of something)a contributory factor
  2. giving or donating to a common purpose or fund
  3. of, relating to, or designating an insurance or pension scheme in which the premiums are paid partly by the employer and partly by the employees who benefit from it
  4. liable or subject to a tax or levy
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noun plural -ries
  1. a person or thing that contributes
  2. company law a member or former member of a company liable to contribute to the assets on the winding-up of the company
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012