English
tribe
Tribe comes from Latin tribus ‘one of the three original tribes of Rome:…’, and goes back to Proto-Indo-European *tréyes.
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*tréyes‘three’reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*trejesreconstructed
- Proto-Italic, derivedc. 1500–700 BCE*trēs‘three’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEtrēs‘three’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEtribus‘one of the three original tribes of Rome: Ramnes, Tities, Luceres’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400tribu
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500tribe‘one of the twelve tribes of Israel’
- Englishearliest quotation 1808same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Proto-Indo-Europeanc. 4500–2500 BCE*tréyes‘three’reconstructed
- Proto-Italicc. 1500–700 BCE*trejesreconstructed
- Proto-Italic, derivedc. 1500–700 BCE*trēs‘three’reconstructed
- Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEtrēs‘three’
- Latin, derivedc. 75 BCE–200 CEtribus‘one of the three original tribes of Rome: Ramnes, Tities, Luceres’
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400tribu
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500tribe‘one of the twelve tribes of Israel’
- Englishearliest quotation 1808same form
Earliest quotation: 1808, G. L. Leclerc, Count de Buffon: “The cod may not improperly be placed at the…”
Linked words
through Proto-Indo-European *tréyes ‘three’
three, tri, tern, troika, 11 more
through Latin trēs ‘three’
trinity, trio, trey, tres, triplex, 9 more
through Latin tribus ‘one of the three original tribes of Rome:…’
distribution, contribution, contribute, tribute, tribal, tribunal, contributor, tribune, retribution, attribution, 4 more
Today it means
noun An ethnic group larger than a band or clan (and which may contain clans) but smaller than a nation (and which in turn may constitute a nation with other tribes). The tribe is often the basis of ethnic identity.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Proto-Indo-European *tréyes / tribe