Etymology Map
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Tribute

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an act showing respect; payment to a ruler

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

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

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.