tributary

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɹɪbjʊtəɹi/

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tributary (plural tributaries)

1. (hydrology) A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.

   Synonym: affluent

   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.
   • c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii], page 259, column 2:

     An earneſt Coniuration from the King, / As England was his faithfull Tributary

• distributary

tributary (not comparable)

1. Related to the paying of tribute.
2. Subordinate; inferior.
   • 1634 October 9 (first performance), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […] [Comus], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] 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.

• tribute