n.
- a social division in a traditional society consisting of linked families or communities with a common culture and dialect.
▸(in ancient Rome) each of several (originally three) political divisions.
▸derogatory a distinctive close-knit social or political group.
▸
(tribes)
informal large numbers of people.
- Biology a taxonomic category that ranks above genus and below family or subfamily.
Usage
In historical contexts, the word tribe is broadly accepted (the area was inhabited by Slavic tribes). However, when used to refer to traditional societies today, the word can be problematic, because it is associated with past attitudes of white colonialists towards so-called primitive or uncivilized peoples. It is therefore generally preferable to use alternative terms such as community or people.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. tribu or L. tribus (sing. and pl.); perh. rel. to tri- ‘three’ and referring to the three divisions of the early people of Rome.
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