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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.

Tribut(e, n. Also: tribuitt, -buyt, trybut(e, triebut, trewbut(e. [ME and e.m.E. tribit (1340-70), tribut (Piers Plowman), trybute (Caxton), tribute (1535), F. tribut, L. tribūt-.]

1. a. A levy exacted from a subordinate ruler or state by the dominant power. b. Taxation levied from subjects or vassals by their ruler or superior. Also, an instance of this. Also attrib. and comb.a., b. a1400 Leg. S. xxxiii 27 (see Tribune n.).
Trybut c1420 Wynt. v 471.
And to Rowme that tribwte [C. tribute, W. tribut] [to] pay … That the Romanys before wan Fra hys eldrys off Brettan 1456 Hay I 237/9.
Men of kirk gevis tributis and taillies of thair gudis to the king of Ingland … sare agayn thair will 1460 Hay Alex. 1038.
I am send fra my father Philip king Tribut of Grece and Macedone to bring 1460 Hay Alex. 2067.
That ane realm but reull may nocht stand … And haitrent makis gret gouernance to fiche For wrangus tribute takin of the pure [etc.] 1490–1 Acta Conc. I 176/1.
Johne … withaldis xx bollis of vitale in maner of tribut of the landis of Lybrik c1520-c1535 Nisbet Matth. xvii 24.
Thai that tuke tribute com to Petir and said to him, Your maistir payis nocht tribute? 1522 Comm. Univ. III (St. A.) App. 180.
The Universite of Sanctandrois, the rector, doctouris, [etc.] … ar … privilegiatt and fre fra all tributtis, exactionis, taxationis c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4592.
Christ … causit Peter for to pay Trybute to Cesar for thame tway 1554 Misc. Bann. C. III 75.
The landis onderliis the dominion of the posteritie of thame [sc. Earls of Orkney] till this day, except that be law of tribut tha deserue to the Kingis of Norwege 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 12.
Make the simpill band a cunȝiehous, and gar thame pay euerie ȝeir an guid tribute 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Canvm.
Kain or Chan is called tribute, payed be the seruand, or subject to the maister c1615 Chron. Kings 14.
That Conkistus king of Pechis suld pey certane tribuitt to interteyne his suddertis 1622-6 Bisset I 47/9.
Kirkmen salbe perpetuallie exonered of all wearis, triebuttis, and publict exactionis(b) c1475 Wall. vi 774.
Trewbutattrib. c1508 Ch. & M. Prints v 64.
Think one that thou mone gif a tribute compte, And ansuere for thi juge and thi sellcomb. c1420 Wynt. iv 2042 (W).
For that cause thai freschit ware Fra tribut gevin [R. trewage off, C. trewagis of] tene ȝere

c. On trewbute, paying protection money. c1475 Wall. v 589.
Still scho duelt on trewbute in the toune, And purchest had king Eduuardis protectioune

d. Money paid by way of compensation; a fine, damages. 1565 Prestwick B. Rec. 69 n.
Sir Gilbert M^cTeir [is defender anent] the nwfering of ane blak hors [and agreed to pay] xij markis of tribuyt [ed. tubuyt]

2. transf. An acknowledgement of one's allegiance, esteem, love, etc.; an offering of prayer. Arundel MS 238/14.
In signe of recognisance & knawlage, [I] pray to Thé this littill tribut in the mornyng and on ewinyng. That is, that I adorne and worschip Thé with hert and mouth [etc.]