/'trɪbju:t; `trɪbjut/
n
1 [C, U] action, statement or gift that is meant to show one's respect or admiration 表示敬意或称赞的行动、言语或礼物
*floral tributes, ie gifts of flowers 献礼的花
* Tributes to the dead leader have been received from all around the world. 世界各地的人们向已故领袖表示哀悼.
* The mourners stood in silent tribute as the coffin was laid to rest. 灵柩下葬时, 送葬者默立致哀.
2 [sing] a ~ (to sth) indication of the effectiveness of sth 有效性的标示
*His recovery is a tribute to the doctors' skill. 他能够康复充分说明该医师医术高超.
3 [C, U] (esp formerly) payment made by one country or ruler to another, esp to avoid war （尤指旧时）（一国向他国交纳的）贡品, 贡金, 贡（尤指为避免战争）.
4 (idm 习语) pay tribute to sb/sth => pay2.

n [U and C]
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin;Origin: tributum, from tribuere 'to give out to the tribes, pay', from tribus; TRIBE]
something that you say, do, or give in order to express your respect or admiration for someone
　The players wore black armbands as a tribute to their late teammate.
　I'd like to pay tribute to (=praise and admire publicly) the party workers for all their hard work.
be a tribute to sb/sth
to be a clear sign of the good qualities that someone or something has
　It was a tribute to her teaching methods that so many children passed the test.
a payment of goods or money by one ruler or country to another more powerful one, especially in order to be protected
floral tribute
BrE flowers sent to a funeral