Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Tribute
Trib′ute
,Noun.
[OE.
tribut
, L. tributum
, fr. tribuere
, tributum
, to bestow, grant, pay, allot, assign, originally, to a tribe, from tribus
tribe; cf. F. tribut
. See Tribe
, and cf. Attribute
, Contribute
.] 1.
An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one ruler or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty;
as, the Romans made their conquered countries pay
. tribute
Millions for defense, but not one cent for
tribute
. C. C. Pinckney.
2.
A personal contribution, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved;
as, a
. tribute
of affectionImplores the passing
tribute
of a sigh. Gray.
Trib′ute
,Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Tributed
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Tributing
.] To pay as tribute.
[R.]
Whitlock (1654).
Webster 1828 Edition
Tribute
TRIB'UTE
,Noun.
1.
An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty. The Romans made all their conquered countries pay tribute, as do the Turks at this day; and in some countries the tribute is paid in children.2.
A personal contribution; as a tribute of respect.3.
Something given or contributed.