tribute

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An acknowledgment of gratitude, respect or admiration; an accompanying gift.

   Please accept this as a tribute of our thanks.

2. 2
   noun

   A payment made by one nation to another in submission.

   The Ancient Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute.

3. 3
   noun

   A certain proportion of the mined ore, or of its value, given to the miner as payment.

   The setting of a Copper Mine upon tribute , has this difference : the Tributor is at the sole expence of digging , raising , and dressing , all the Ore that can be made merchantable

4. 4
   verb

   To pay as tribute.

   Amorous Trifler, that spendeth[…]his Afternoones in discourse with Paint, or Lust, tributing most precious Minutes, to the Scepter of a Fanne.

5. 5
   noun

   payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence

6. 6
   noun

   payment by one nation for protection by another

7. 7
   noun

   something given or done as an expression of esteem

8. 8
   noun

   Extortion; protection money.

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Middle English tribut (14th c.), from Middle French tribut, from Latin tributum (“tribute”, literally “a thing contributed or paid”), past participle of tribuere (“to assign, allot”), usually derived from tribus (“tribe”, which see).