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tribuo

Etymology and origin of the Latin word tribuo

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Confidence
Probable
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Accius
Ultimate origin
Latin (tribus)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈtrɪ.bu.oː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈtriː.bu.o][1]

Forms

tribuō (present infinitive tribuere, perfect active tribuī, supine tribūtum); third conjugation, third person-only in the passive[1]

Etymology

It is from tribus “tribe”, perhaps as a back-formation from its participle ⟨tribūtus⟩.[2][1] Gaffiot gives its first sense as “to distribute among the tribes”, of a tax, as Varro explains.[3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Accius, of sharing out.[2] Köbler dates Accius 170–c. 90 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to share out, apportion, and to divide into categories.[2] From Cicero it meant to grant, bestow, award, as his in tribuendō suum cuique “in giving each his own”, to devote time or effort, and to ascribe credit or a quality to someone, or impute something to a cause.[2][5] It meant to set a value on, pay regard to, as Cicero's ut eī plūrimum tribuāmus “that we give most to the one who loves us most”, and to pay respect.[2][5] Döderlein explains that impertīre is giving out of goodness, tribuere giving what is due.[6]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to give, bestow, grant.[7] Its neuter participle tribūtum “tax” is the source of English tribute, recorded from the mid-14th century.[8]

Timeline

  • 170–c. 90 BC – Accius uses it of sharing out.[2][4]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of granting and ascribing.[2][4]
  • 59 BC–17 AD – Livy uses ultrō tribūtum of a voluntary public service.[2][4]
  • mid-14th century – English tribute is recorded.[8]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To share out, apportion; to divide.[2]
  2. To grant, bestow, award.[2]
  3. To devote time or effort.[2]
  4. To ascribe, attribute; to impute.[2]
  5. To value, pay regard to; to pay respect.[2]

Word family

References

  1. ^ a b c d Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
  4. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  6. ^ Döderlein, Ludwig (1874), Döderlein’s Hand-book of Latin Synonymes, tr. H. H. Arnold, Andover: W. F. Draper
  7. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Tribuo.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/tribuo. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

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