tribute English · revision 6644

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1350|origins=la tribus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtɹɪbjuːt/ ''(UK)''; /ˈtɹɪbjut/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English tribit, tribute, [[bor|fro|tribut]] and directly [[bor|la|tribūtum|t=a thing contributed or paid]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) the noun use of the neuter past participle of [[m|la|tribuo|alt=tribuere|t=to pay, assign, grant]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|tribus|t=tribe]] (see [[tribe]]); the verb is thought to have meant originally to divide among the tribes.^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A tax paid by one ruler or state to another in acknowledgment of submission or for protection: about 1350 in Barnhart, 1340–70 in the OED, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The obligation of paying tribute, subjection, is from 1377.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, an offering or gift showing respect or affection, is first recorded in 1585.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) Something that testifies to the worth of a person, as in ''a tribute to his skill'', is from 1926.^(OED 1989) In Cornish mining, tribute was the share of ore paid to the miners or owners (1778).^(OED 1989) A ''tribute band'' imitates a famous group.^(Collins 2023) [[tributary|alt=Tributary]], paying tribute, is from the 14th century, and a river flowing into another from the 19th.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1350 – tax paid to a ruler.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1377 – subjection.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1585 – a token of respect.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1778 – in mining.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1926 – a testimony to.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An act, statement or gift that shows respect, [[gratitude]] or admiration.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Evidence of the worth of something: ''a tribute to her skill''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(historical)'' A payment made by one ruler or state to another as a sign of submission or for protection.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[tribal]]

+ * [[tribe]]

+ * [[tributary]]

+ * [[attribute]]

+ * [[contribute]]

+ * [[distribute]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}