Tribute, n.
Etymology: [OE. tribut, L. tributum, fr. tribuere, tributum, to bestow, grant, pay, allot, assign, originally, to a tribe, from tribus tribe; cf. F. tribut. See Tribe, and cf. Attribute, Contribute.]
1. An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one ruler 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, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of affection. Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. Gray.
3. (Mining)
A certain proportion of the ore raised, or of its value, given to the miner as his recompense. Pryce. Tomlinson. Tribute money, money paid as a tribute or tax. -- Tribute pitch. (Mining) See under Tributer. [Eng.]
1 more senses
Syn. -- See Subsidy.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Tribute, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tributing.]
To pay as tribute. [R.] Whitlock (1654).
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for tribute; he lists it under subsidy.
Where he writes about it:
A nation grants a subsidy to an ally, pays a tribute to a conqueror. — from subsidy
An indemnity is in the nature of things limited and temporary, while a tribute might be exacted indefinitely. — from subsidy