tribe

Definition

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.

Etymology

PIE word *tréyes From Middle English tribe, tribu, from Old French tribu, from Latin tribus. Doublet of tribus.

Example Sentences

• "the Twelve Tribes of Israel; Germanic tribes; Celtic tribes"
• "The Formation of Kazakh Identity: From Tribe to Nation-state"
• "If two persons bore the same name, […] ambiguity was avoided by […] indicating their place of origin, the name of the tribe or deme being added for persons of the same town […], and the name of the country or town for foreigners […]."