tribe

tribe
tribe NOUN 1) a social division in a traditional society consisting of linked families or communities with a common culture and dialect. 2) derogatory a distinctive close-knit social or political group. 3) (tribes) informal large numbers of people. 4) (in ancient Rome) each of several (originally three) political divisions. 5) Biology a taxonomic category that ranks above genus and below family or subfamily.
USAGE It is best to avoid using the word tribe to refer to traditional societies in contemporary contexts, as it is associated with past attitudes of white colonialists towards so-called primitive or uncivilized peoples; alternative terms such as community or people are better. In historical contexts, as in the area was inhabited by Slavic tribes, it is perfectly acceptable.
ORIGIN Latin tribus, perhaps related to tri- 'three' and referring to the three divisions of the early people of Rome.

English terms dictionary. 2015.

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  • Tribe — Tribe, n. [L. tribus, originally, a third part of the Roman people, afterwards, a division of the people, a tribe; of uncertain origin: cf. F. tribu.] [1913 Webster] 1. A family, race, or series of generations, descending from the same progenitor …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • tribe — 1. Tribe is used without difficulty when the reference is historical • (Balbindor was a coastal Malay of the Iban tribe Brian Aldiss, 1993) and some ancient societies had constitutional divisions normally translated by the term tribe (e.g. Athens …   Modern English usage

  • tribe — [traıb] n [Date: 1200 1300; : Latin; Origin: tribus group within the Roman people, tribe ] 1.) a social group consisting of people of the same ↑race who have the same beliefs, customs, language etc, and usually live in one particular area ruled… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Tribe — CD de Queensrÿche Publicación 22 de julio, 2003 Grabación 2003 Género(s) Metal progresivo Duración 41:37 …   Wikipedia Español

  • tribe — [ traıb ] noun count ** 1. ) a large group of related families who live in the same area and share a common language, religion, and customs: Native American tribes the Makah tribe 2. ) HUMOROUS a very large family: Do we have room for the whole… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • tribe — [trīb] n. [ME trybe < L tribus, one of the three groups into which Romans were orig. divided, tribe < tri (see TRI ) + IE * bhū < base * bheu , to grow, flourish > BE] 1. esp. among preliterate peoples, a group of persons, families,… …   English World dictionary

  • Tribe — Tribe, v. t. To distribute into tribes or classes. [R.] [1913 Webster] Our fowl, fish, and quadruped are well tribed. Abp. Nicolson. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Tribe 8 — ist ein im Jahre 1998 erschienenes Pen Paper Rollenspiel Verlages Dream Pod 9, der bereits durch die Publizierung des Tabletopsystems Heavy Gear auf sich aufmerksam machte. 2003 erschien eine zweite Edition, außerdem gab es einige… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • tribe — tribe, tribalism This term usually denotes a social group bound together by kin and duty and associated with a particular territory. Members of the tribe share the social cohesion associated with the family, together with the sense of political… …   Dictionary of sociology

  • tribe — mid 13c., one of the twelve divisions of the ancient Hebrews, from O.Fr. tribu, from L. tribus one of the three political/ethnic divisions of the original Roman state (Tites, Ramnes, and Luceres, corresponding, perhaps, to the Latins, Sabines,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • tribe — tribe·less; tribe·let; …   English syllables

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