tributary

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English

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Etymology

PIE word
*tréyes

From Middle English tributarie (paying tribute), from Latin tribūtārius, from tribūtum (tribute).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈtɹɪbjʊtəɹi/
  • Audio (UK):(file)

Noun

tributary (plural tributaries)

  1. (hydrology) A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.
    Synonyms: affluent, influent
    Antonym: distributary
  2. (anatomy) A vein which drains into another vein.
    The great saphenous vein is a tributary of the femoral vein.
  3. A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.

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Adjective

tributary (not comparable)

  1. Related to the paying of tribute.
  2. Subordinate; inferior.
    • 1634 October 9 (first performance), , edited by H Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: , before the Right Honorable, Iohn Earle of Bridgewater, Vicount Brackly, Lord President of Wales, and One of His Maiesties Most Honorable Privie Counsell.">…] , London: ">…] for Hvmphrey Robinson, , published 1637, →OCLC; reprinted as Comus:  (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903, →OCLC:
      to grace his tributary gods
  3. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing.
    The Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi.

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