Tribe \Tribe\, v. t. To distribute into tribes or classes. [R.]

Our fowl, fish, and quadruped are well tribed. --Abp. Nicolson.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Tribe \Tribe\, n. [L. tribus, originally, a third part of the Roman people, afterwards, a division of the people, a tribe; of uncertain origin: cf. F. tribu.]

1. A family, race, or series of generations, descending from the same progenitor, and kept distinct, as in the case of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob. ``The Lion of the tribe of Juda.'' --Rev. v. 5.

A wealthy Hebrew of my tribe. --Shak.

2. (Bot.) A number of species or genera having certain structural characteristics in common; as, a tribe of plants; a tribe of animals.

Note: By many recent naturalists, tribe has been used for a group of animals or plants intermediate between order and genus.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)