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).
An acknowledgment of gratitude, respect or admiration; an accompanying gift.
Please accept this as a tribute of our thanks.
the passing tribute of a sigh1750 June 12 (date written; published 1751), T[homas] Gray, “Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard”, in Designs by Mr. R[ichard] Bentley, for Six Poems by Mr. T. Gray, London: […] R[obert] Dodsley, […], published 1753, →OCLC:
2
An homage made in a body of work to another work or creator.
Did you catch the Up in Smoke tribute in that episode of That '70s Show?
3
A payment made by one nation to another in submission.
The Ancient Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute.
4
Extortion; protection money.
5
A payment made by a feudal vassal to his lord.
6
Business, Mining 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 merchantable1778, William Pryce, Mineralogia Cornubiensis: A Treatise on Minerals, Mines, and Mining […] :
1852-1866, Charles Tomlinson, Cyclopaedia of Useful Arts and Manufactures Tut-work is also employed upon the lode itself, though from the advantages generally considered to arise from the tribute system […]
7
Internet, Abbreviation, Ellipsis, Vulgar Ellipsis of cum tribute.
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).
1
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.1654, Richard Whitlock, Zootomia: