noun

1. 1. a regular payment of money, etc., made by one ruler or nation to another as acknowledgment of subjugation, for protection from invasion, etc.
   2. a tax levied for this
2. under feudalism,
   1. a tax paid by a vassal to an overlord
   2. 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

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