TRIBUTARY

conducive, contributing, contributive, contributory, tributary

(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”

tributary

(adjective) paying tribute; “a tributary colony”

tributary

(adjective) (of a stream) flowing into a larger stream

feeder, tributary, confluent, affluent

(noun) a branch that flows into the main stream

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

tributary (plural tributaries)

A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.

A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.

Synonyms

• (stream which flows into a larger one): affluent

Adjective

tributary (not comparable)

Related to the paying of tribute.

subordinate; inferior

Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing.

Source: Wiktionary


Trib"u*ta*ry, a. Etym: [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. [Julius] unto Rome made them tributary. Chaucer.

2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior. He to grace his tributary gods. Milton.

3. Paid in tribute. "Tributary tears." Shak.

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.

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.

2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

17 June 2025

RECREANT

(adjective) having deserted a cause or principle; “some provinces had proved recreant”; “renegade supporters of the usurper”


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