For a joint contribution, figure ahead (5)
I believe the answer is:
tenon
'for a joint' is the definition.
(I've seen this in other clues)
'figure ahead' is the wordplay.
'figure' becomes 'ten' (ten is a number or figure).
'ahead' becomes 'on' (synonyms).
'ten'+'on'='TENON'
'contribution' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. It may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for tenon that I've seen before include "Projection (joins with mortise)" , "Connection" , "Piece of wood fitting into a mortice" , "Nonet (anag.)" , "End of a piece of wood shaped to form a mortise joint" .)