'Tributary' definitions:
Definition of 'tributary'
From: WordNet
adjective
(of a stream) flowing into a larger stream
adjective
Paying tribute; "a tributary colony"
adjective
Tending to bring about; being partly responsible for; "working conditions are not conducive to productivity"; "the seaport was a contributing factor in the growth of the city"; "a contributory factor" [syn: conducive, contributing(a), contributive, contributory, tributary]
noun
A branch that flows into the main stream [syn: feeder, tributary, confluent, affluent] [ant: distributary]
Definition of 'Tributary'
From: GCIDE
- Tributary \Trib"u*ta*ry\, a. [OE. tributaire, F. tributaire, L. tributarius. See Tribute.]
- 1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace. [1913 Webster]
- [Julius] unto Rome made them tributary. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
- 2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior. [1913 Webster]
- He to grace his tributary gods. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
- 3. Paid in tribute. "Tributary tears." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
- 4. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi. [1913 Webster] [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'Tributary'
From: GCIDE
- Tributary \Trib"u*ta*ry\, n.; pl. Tributaries.
- 1. A ruler or state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of submission, or for the purchase of security. [1913 Webster]
- 2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'tributary'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- accessory,
- affluent,
- bayou,
- beck,
- billabong,
- branch,
- brook,
- burn,
- client,
- collateral,
- confluent,
- confluent stream,
- conquered,
- creek,
- dendritic drainage pattern,
- dependent,
- effluent,
- feeder,
- feudal,
- feudatory,
- fork,
- inferior,
- kill,
- liege,
- minor,
- offshoot,
- prong,
- rill,
- rivulet,
- run,
- runlet,
- runnel,
- satellite,
- secondary,
- servile,
- streamlet,
- sub,
- subdued,
- subject,
- subjugated,
- subordinate,
- subservient,
- under,
- vanquished,
- vassal