tribe

Where does the word "tribe" come from? It comes from Latin tribus, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Tribe’s story begins in Latin: tribus meant “tribe.” One of the three original divisions of the Roman people. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tribu. Used for the twelve tribes of Israel. It reached English by 1200s as tribe. Modern anthropology broadened it. Today, tribe means a social group sharing customs and ancestry.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tribus "tribe", one of the three original divisions of the Roman people.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tribu "tribe", used for the twelve tribes of Israel.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s tribe "tribe", modern anthropology broadened it.