tribe

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tribe community claiming a common ancestor, spec. each of the 12 divisions of Israel XIII; political division of the ancient Roman people XVI; race of people; class or set of persons; group in the classification of animals, etc. XVII. First in pl. †tribuz, †tribus — (O)F. tribus, pl. of tribu, or L. tribūs, pl. of tribus, whence immed. tribe (XIV).
Hence tribal (-AL1) XVIII. tribesman (-S) XVIII.

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