SINCE 1828

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subtribe

noun sub·tribe \ ˈsəb-ˌtrīb \

variants: or sub-tribe

Updated on: 28 Feb 2018

Definition of subtribe

plural subtribes or sub-tribes

: a tribe that is part of a larger tribe

According to tradition the Arapaho were formerly composed of five subtribes, or bands …
—Barbara A. Leitch

First Known Use of subtribe

1823

in the meaning defined above

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