tribute

Where does the word "tribute" come from? It comes from Latin tributum, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Tribute’s story begins in Latin: tributum meant “tax, levy.” From 'tribuere', to assign, originally to the tribes of Rome. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as tribut. Payment from a subject people. It reached English by 1300s as tribute. The sense 'act of praise' came in the 1600s. Today, tribute means an act showing respect; payment to a ruler.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient tributum "tax, levy", from 'tribuere', to assign, originally to the tribes of Rome.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval tribut "tribute", payment from a subject people.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s tribute "tax to a ruler", the sense 'act of praise' came in the 1600s.