tribute

tribute [trib′yo͞ot]

n.

[ME tribut < MFr < L tributum, neut. of tributus, pp. of tribuere, to assign, allot, pay < tribus, Roman tribal division: see TRIBE]

1.

a) a regular payment of money, etc., made by one ruler or nation to another as acknowledgment of subjugation, for protection from invasion, etc.

b) a tax levied for this

2. under feudalism,

a) a tax paid by a vassal to an overlord

b) the obligation to make such a payment

3. any forced payment or contribution, as through bribery, or the need to make this

4. something given, done, or said, as a gift, testimonial, etc., that shows gratitude, respect, honor, or praise

SYN.- TRIBUTE, the broadest in scope of these words, is used of praise manifested by any act, situation, etc. as well as that expressed in speech or writing [their success was a tribute to your leadership ]; ENCOMIUM suggests an enthusiastic, sometimes high-flown expression of praise [encomiums lavished on party leaders at a convention ]; EULOGY generally applies to a formal speech or writing in exalting praise, especially of a person who has just died; PANEGYRIC suggests superlative or elaborate praise expressed in poetic or lofty language [Cicero's panegyric upon Cato ]