tribe
UK: traɪb | US: traɪb
n. a social group composed of people linked by blood, culture, or territory, often with a shared leader
n. (biology) a taxonomic category ranking below a family and above a genus
n. (informal) a group of people with a common interest or identity
tribe = trib<group, division> + e (silent)
- trib<group, division>: From Latin tribus, originally referring to one of the three political divisions of ancient Rome (Tites, Ramnes, Luceres). Later generalized to mean any social or ethnic subdivision.
- e: A silent vowel added in Middle English, likely for phonetic adaptation.
Etymology Origin:
The word tribe traces back to Latin tribus, which initially denoted the threefold division of early Roman society. Over time, its meaning expanded to describe any distinct social or ethnic group. The silent -e reflects English spelling conventions. The term’s evolution mirrors the human tendency to categorize communities, whether by kinship, geography, or shared identity.
The Maasai tribe is known for its rich cultural traditions.
Biologists classified the new species under a previously unknown tribe.
Skateboarders often form tight-knit tribes in urban areas.
Ancient Roman tribes played a key role in early governance.
The software developer tribe gathered at the annual conference.