Tribe

trlb, n. A family, race, or series of generations, descending from the same progenitor: a nation of savages or uncivilized people, united under one leader or government; any division, or distinct portion of a people or nation. (Nat. Hist.) A number of things having certain characters or resemblances in common. [F. tribu, L. tribus, a tribe, orob. orig. of the 3 families of people in Rome (the Ramnes, Tities, and Luceres), tres, 3 (see Triad), and -bus, familv: Gr. phule, a tribe, family, E. be.] — Tribu'nal, tri-bu'nal, n. The bench on which a judge and his a ociates for administering justice; a court of justice; in France, a gallery or eminence where musical performers are placed for a concert. [L.. a platform for the seats of the (tribuni) tribunes.] — Trib'une, trlb'un, n. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer or magistrate chosen by the people, to protect them from the oppre ion of the patricians or nobles. Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches were delivered; in France, a pulpit or elevated place in a legislative a embly, where a speaker stands while making an addre . [ME. and F. tribun, L. tribunus, prop, chief of a tribe, tribus.] — Trib'uneahip, n. The office of a tribune. — Tribuni'tial, -nish'al, a. Pert, to tribunes suiting a tribune.— Trib'ute, -ut, n. An annual or stated sum paid by one prince or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submi ion, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty; a personal contribution in token of services rendered, or as that which due or deserved. [ME. and F. tribut, L. tributwn, tribuere, tributum, to a ign, allot, bestow, pay, orig. to a ign to a (tribus) tribe.] — Trib'utary, -u-ta-rl, a. Paying tribute to another; subordinate; inferior; paid in tribute; yielding supplies of anything: contributing. — n. One who pays tribute or a stated sum to a conquering power. [ME. and F. tributaire, L. tributarius.] Triblet, trib'let, Trib'olet, -o-let, n. A goldsmith's tool for making rings; a steel cylinder round which metal bent in forming tubes. [F. triboulet.] Tribometer, tri-bom 'e-ter, n. An instrument to ascertain the degree of friction in rubbing surfaces. [Gr. tribe in, to rub, and metron, a measure.] Tribrach. See under Triad.