Playing a part in bringing about a result or helping to cause something; giving assistance or support toward a common purpose. Often describes factors that help produce an outcome.
From Latin 'contributus,' past participle of 'contribuere' meaning 'to bring together' or 'to give along with others.' The adjective form developed in English to describe anything that adds to or helps create a result.
Contributory factors are like ingredients in a recipe—each one adds something to the final dish, and the result wouldn't be the same without them! Understanding contributory causes helps explain why complex problems rarely have single solutions.
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