n. [ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute. C. C. Pinckney. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mining) A certain proportion of the ore raised, or of its value, given to the miner as his recompense. Pryce. Tomlinson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Tribute money, money paid as a tribute or tax. --
Tribute pitch. (Mining) See under Tributer. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- See Subsidy. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Tributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Tributing. ] To pay as tribute. [ R. ] Whitlock (1654). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Mining) One who works for a certain portion of the ore, or its value. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Tributers generally work in gangs, and have a limited portion of a lode set them, called a tribute pitch, beyond which they are not permitted to work, and for which they receive a certain portion of the ore, or so much per pound, as agreed upon, of the value of what they raise. Weale. [ 1913 Webster ]