Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TRIB'UTE, n. [Fr. tribut; L. tributum, from tribuo, to give, bestow, or divide.]

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. The Romans made all their conquered countries pay tribute, as do the Turks at this day; and in some countries the tribute is paid in children. Cyc.
2. A personal contribution; as, a tribute of respect.
3. Something given or contributed.