tribute

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun something given or done as an expression of esteem
  2. noun payment by one nation for protection by another
  3. noun payment extorted by gangsters on threat of violence

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).

In classic literature

Synonyms

testimonial

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