tributary

EnglishEdit

 
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EtymologyEdit

PIE word
*tréyes

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

PronunciationEdit

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

NounEdit

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 a 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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TranslationsEdit

AdjectiveEdit

tributary (not comparable)

  1. Related to the paying of tribute.
  2. subordinate; inferior
  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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TranslationsEdit