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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Trib(e, Tryb(e, n. Pl. also tribus. [ME and e.m.E. tribu (c1250), trybe (Wyclif), tribe (Gower), OF tribu, L. tribūs pl.]

1. One of the twelve divisions of the people of Israel, each of which claimed a common descent from one of the sons of Jacob; the members of such a division, collectively. c1420 Wynt. ii 232.
Thir twelff that I yhowe off telle The tribus are off Israelle c1420 Wynt. ii 235.
Tribus may be the lyniage Propyrly calde in oure langage c1515 Kennedy Asl. MS II 274/55.
Blist be thi blude that come of Josues trybe a1538 Abell 7a.
Samson … wes of the trib of Dan a1538 Abell 15a.
The bischep of the Jowis Eliaȝer send 6 agit men of ilk trib that is in haill 72 1550 Knox III 35.
Saule … being none of the tryb of Levi, apoyntit be Godis commandment to mak sacrifice, usurpeth that office not dew to him c1552 Lynd. Mon. 2180.
Of [Abraham] discendit, I heir tell, The twelf gret trybis of Israell Devot. Pieces 247/266.
Fle, ȝe aduersaris, ourcumin be the lioun of the tribe of Juda 1572 Sempill in Sat. P. xxx 201.
King Roboam … tynt his kyndlie trybes ten [sc. the ten lost tribes of Israel]

2. An ethnic or political grouping, more generally. 1533 Bell. Livy I 25/15.
The Ethruschis had xij seriandis armit with xij axis, becaus thai had vnder thare senȝeorie xij sindri tribus & pepill

b. specif. A subdivision of the Highland Scots; a clan, or subdivision of a clan. 1531 Bell. Boece I 10.
The Scottis cuming out of Ireland … spred in sindry ilis of Albion … and devidit thaim in sindry tribis 1531 Bell. Boece I 10.
The Scottis … chesit certane capitanis to every tribe 1596 Dalr. II 365/1.
Monie [clansmen] of sundrie trybes quha of pryd baid aback entired in haist to the law and judgement 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 100.
[The Clanchattan] by commoun consent … choose Hector Mackintoshie, bastard brother of the slain man, that he might govern them, vntill his young nevoy might grow to years, and guyd his owne tryb c1630 Highland P. II 269.
The McKenzies … heated the breiwe and his trybe [sc. the McGillivrays] c1641–54 J. Gordon in Macfarlane's Geog. Coll. II 521.
The whol Clan-Lean ar devyded into two casts or trybs

3. One of the areas (originally, thirds) into which the ancient city of Rome was divided for the purpose of paying tribute or tax. 1533 Bell. Livy I 96/14, 17.
The toun of Rome was dividit … in sindri partis, and euery ane of thir partis war callit tribis be thirllage of tribute that thai aucht to pay to the king … Thir tribus pertenit na thing to the distribucioun and nowmer of centuries