n. The act of giving to a common stock, or in common with others; the act of promoting or affording aid to a common end; the payment by each of his share of some common expense, or the doing by each of his part of a common labor.n. That which is given to a common stock or done to promote a common end, either by an individual or by many; something furnished as a joint share or constituent part.n. Specifically A writing furnished as a distinct part of a periodical or other joint literary work.n. Milit., an imposition paid by a frontier country to secure itself from being plundered by the enemy's army; an imposition upon a country in the power of an enemy, which is levied under various pretenses and for various purposes, usually for the support of the army.n. In law, a payment made by each of several, having a common interest, of his share in a loss suffered, or in an amount paid, by one of the number for the common good: as, for instance, a payment levied on each of the several owners of a vessel for equalizing the loss arising from sacrifices made for the common safety in sea voyages, where the ship is in danger of being lost or captured.