v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Attributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Attributing. ] [ L. attributus, p. p. of attribuere; ad + tribuere to bestow. See Tribute. ] To ascribe; to consider (something) as due or appropriate (to); to refer, as an effect to a cause; to impute; to assign; to consider as belonging (to). [ 1913 Webster ]

We attribute nothing to God that hath any repugnancy or contradiction in it. Abp. Tillotson. [ 1913 Webster ]

The merit of service is seldom attributed to the true and exact performer. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Ascribe. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. attributum. ] 1. That which is attributed; a quality which is considered as belonging to, or inherent in, a person or thing; an essential or necessary property or characteristic. [ 1913 Webster ]

But mercy is above this sceptered away; . . .
It is an attribute to God himself. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Reputation. [ Poetic ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Paint. & Sculp.) A conventional symbol of office, character, or identity, added to any particular figure; as, a club is the attribute of Hercules. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Gram.) Quality, etc., denoted by an attributive; an attributive adjunct or adjective. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Contributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Contributing. ] [ L. contributus, p. p. of contribuere to bring together, to add; con- + tribuere to grant, impart. See Tribute. ] To give or grant i common with others; to give to a common stock or for a common purpose; to furnish or suply in part; to give (money or other aid) for a specified object; as, to contribute food or fuel for the poor. [ 1913 Webster ]

England contributes much more than any other of the allies. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. 1. To give a part to a common stock; to lend assistance or aid, or give something, to a common purpose; to have a share in any act or effect. [ 1913 Webster ]

We are engaged in war; the secretary of state calls upon the colonies to contribute. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To give or use one's power or influence for any object; to assist. [ 1913 Webster ]

These men also contributed to obstruct the progress of wisdom. Goldsmith. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Distributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Distributing. ] [ L. distributus, p. p. of distribuere to divide, distribute; dis- + tribuere to assign, give, allot. See Tribute. ] 1. To divide among several or many; to deal out; to apportion; to allot. [ 1913 Webster ]

She did distribute her goods to all them that were nearest of kindred. Judith xvi. 24. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To dispense; to administer; as, to distribute justice. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To divide or separate, as into classes, orders, kinds, or species; to classify; to assort, as specimens, letters, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Printing) (a) To separate (type which has been used) and return it to the proper boxes in the cases. (b) To spread (ink) evenly, as upon a roller or a table. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Logic) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise. [ 1913 Webster ]

A term is said to be distributed when it is taken universal, so as to stand for everything it is capable of being applied to. Whately.

Syn. -- To dispense; deal out; apportion; allot; share; assign; divide. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To make distribution. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. 1. spread from a central location to multiple points or recipients. Opposite of concentrated. [ Narrower terms: apportioned, dealt out, doled out, meted out, parceled out; diffuse, diffused; dispensed; dispersed, spread; divided, divided up, shared, shared out on the basis of a plan or purpose); encyclical; rationed; scattered, widespread; sparse, thin; unfocused, unfocussed ] Also See: distributive. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]

2. spread among a variety of securities; -- of investments.
Syn. -- diversified. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

Distributing to the necessity of saints. Rom. xii. 13. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who, or that which, distributes or deals out anything; a dispenser. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To attribute to another source or cause. Usually used without the hyphen. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

v. t. To distribute again. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Re*dis`tri*bu"tion n. [1913 Webster]

v. t. [ L. retributus, p. p. ofretribuere to retribute; pref re- + tribuere to bestow, assign, pay. See Tribute. ] To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as, to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a criminal. [ Obs. or R. ] Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who makes retribution. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. tribut, L. tributum, fr. tribuere, tributum, to bestow, grant, pay, allot, assign, originally, to a tribe, from tribus tribe; cf. F. tribut. See Tribe, and cf. Attribute, Contribute. ] 1. An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one ruler or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty; as, the Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute. [ 1913 Webster ]

Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute. C. C. Pinckney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A personal contribution, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of affection. [ 1913 Webster ]

Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mining) A certain proportion of the ore raised, or of its value, given to the miner as his recompense. Pryce. Tomlinson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tribute money, money paid as a tribute or tax. --
Tribute pitch. (Mining) See under Tributer. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Subsidy. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Tributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tributing. ] To pay as tribute. [ R. ] Whitlock (1654). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mining) One who works for a certain portion of the ore, or its value. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Tributers generally work in gangs, and have a limited portion of a lode set them, called a tribute pitch, beyond which they are not permitted to work, and for which they receive a certain portion of the ore, or so much per pound, as agreed upon, of the value of what they raise. Weale. [ 1913 Webster ]