salute vs tribute

salute

noun
  • An utterance or gesture expressing greeting or honor towards someone, now especially a formal, non-verbal gesture made with the arms or hands in any of various specific positions. 

  • A discharge of cannon or similar arms, as a mark of honour or respect. 

  • A kiss, offered in salutation. 

  • A pyrotechnic device primarily designed to produce a loud bang. 

verb
  • To act in thanks, honor, or tribute; to thank or extend gratitude; to praise. 

  • To make a gesture in honor of (someone or something). 

  • to wave, to acknowledge an acquaintance. 

  • To address, as with expressions of kind wishes and courtesy; to greet; to hail. 

  • To promote the welfare and safety of; to benefit; to gratify. 

tribute

noun
  • An acknowledgment of gratitude, respect or admiration; an accompanying gift. 

  • A certain proportion of the mined ore, or of its value, given to the miner as payment. 

  • A payment made by one nation to another in submission. 

  • Extortion; protection money. 

  • An homage made in a body of work to another work or creator. 

  • A payment made by a feudal vassal to his lord. 

verb
  • To pay as tribute. 

How often have the words salute and tribute occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )