tributary

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

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɹɪbjʊtəɹi/

tributary (plural tributaries)

1. A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.
2. A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.
   • 1602 : William Shakespeare, Hamlet, act V scene 2

     As England was his faithful tributary

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

tributary (not comparable)

1. Related to the paying of tribute.
2. subordinate; inferior
   • (Can we date this quote?) John Milton

     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