Tribute

n. [Lat. tributum, from tribuere, tributum, to bestow, grant, pay; Fr. tribut, Pr. tribut, tribug, trebout, tribuy, traut, Sp., Pg., & It. tributo.] 1. An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty; as, the Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute. Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute. C. C. Pinckney. 2. A personal contribution made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of respect. Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. Gray. 3. (Mining.) A certain proportion of the ore raised, or its value, given to the miner as his recompense. [Eng.] Pryce. Tomlinson. Tribute-money, money paid as a tribute or tax. — Tribute-pitch (Mining), a portion of a mine set off to be worked by a tributer. See TRIBUTER. Syn.—See SUBSIDY.