tribute

Everyday

1. A tribute is something said, done or given to show respect, thanks or admiration for someone: «a tribute to the nurses». tree →
2. In history, a tribute was money, food or goods that a weaker country or people had to pay to a stronger ruler. tree →
3. A tribute act or tribute band copies the music of a famous band. tree →
4. «To be a tribute to» means to show how good something is: «The garden is a tribute to her hard work». tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, conquered lands paid tribute to the Romans or to other empires. In everyday life and the news, people «pay tribute» to someone who has died or done something brave, with words, flowers or a minute's silence. In stories, a tribute is sometimes a person sent as a payment. Phrases: «pay tribute to», «a fitting tribute», «tribute band», «in tribute to».

Examples

• The school planted a tree as a tribute to our old caretaker. tree →
• Fans left flowers in tribute to the singer. tree →
• The king demanded tribute from the villages. tree →
• Everyone paid tribute to the brave firefighters. tree →
• We went to see a Beatles tribute band. tree →
• Her neat work is a tribute to her patience. tree →
• “Have you collected my tribute from Denmark?” tree →

Note

Countable. «Pay tribute to» is the usual phrase. Do not confuse with «tributary» (a small river that flows into a bigger one).

In Jewish tradition

After the war with Midian, a part of the spoil was given to the LORD, to the priests and Levites. In Proverbs, being "under tribute" is the lot of the lazy. In the primary lessons: In history lessons, conquered lands paid tribute to the Romans or to other empires. In everyday life and the news, people «pay tribute» to someone who has died or done something brave, with words, flowers or a minute's silence. In stories, a tribute is sometimes a person sent as a payment. Phrases: «pay tribute to», «a fitting tribute», «tribute band», «in tribute to».

Examples

• And the LORD'S tribute of the sheep was six hundred and threescore and fifteen. (Torah NUM.31.37, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the persons were sixteen thousand, of whom the LORD'S tribute was thirty and two persons. (Torah NUM.31.40, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the beeves were thirty and six thousand, of which the LORD'S tribute was threescore and twelve. (Torah NUM.31.38, JPS 1917) tree →
• The hand of the diligent shall bear rule; but the slothful shall be under tribute. (Writings PRO.12.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the king Ahasuerus laid a tribute upon the land, and upon the isles of the sea. (Writings EST.10.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• There were also that said: 'We have borrowed money for the king's tribute upon our fields and our vineyards. (Writings NEH.5.4, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. «Pay tribute to» is the usual phrase. Do not confuse with «tributary» (a small river that flows into a bigger one).