Dictionary

1tributary

adjective trib·u·tary \ˈtri-byə-ˌter-ē\

Definition of TRIBUTARY

1
:  paying tribute to another to acknowledge submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace :  subject
2
:  paid or owed as tribute <tributary gifts>
3
:  channeling material or supplies into something more inclusive :  contributory
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First Known Use of TRIBUTARY

14th century

Rhymes with TRIBUTARY

actuary, adversary, airy-fairy, ancillary, antiquary, apiary, arbitrary, aviary, axillary, bacillary, beriberi, bestiary, biliary, black raspberry, Bloody Mary, boysenberry, breviary, budgetary, calamari, calamary, candleberry, Canterbury, capillary, carpellary, cassowary, catenary, cautionary, cavitary, cemetery, centenary, certiorari, checkerberry, chinaberry, cometary, commentary, commissary, condottiere, coralberry, corollary, coronary, culinary, customary, dictionary, dietary, dignitary, dromedary, dysentery, elderberry, emissary, estuary, farkleberry, February, formulary, fragmentary, fritillary, functionary, funerary, honorary, huckleberry, intermarry, janissary, January, lamasery, lapidary, lectionary, legendary, legionary, lingonberry, literary, loganberry, luminary, mammillary, mandatary, maxillary, medullary, mercenary, miliary, military, millenary, milliary, millinery, missionary, momentary, monastery, mortuary, necessary, ordinary, ossuary, partridgeberry, pensionary, pigmentary, planetary, Pondicherry, prebendary, presbytery, pulmonary, quaternary, red mulberry, reliquary, rowanberry, salivary, salmonberry, salutary, sanctuary, sanguinary, sanitary, secondary, secretary, sedentary, seminary, silverberry, solitary, sour cherry, stationary, stationery, statuary, subcontrary, sublunary, sugarberry, sumptuary, syllabary, temporary, tertiary, thimbleberry, Tipperary, Tom and Jerry, topiary, tutelary, Typhoid Mary, unitary, urinary, vestiary, Virgin Mary, visionary, voluntary, vulnerary, Waterbury, whortleberry, winterberry

2tributary

noun

: a stream that flows into a larger stream or river or into a lake

plural tributar·ies

Full Definition of TRIBUTARY

1
:  a ruler or state that pays tribute to a conqueror
2
:  a stream feeding a larger stream or a lake

First Known Use of TRIBUTARY

14th century

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale
TRIBUTARY Defined for Kids

tributary

noun trib·u·tary \ˈtri-byə-ˌter-ē\
plural trib·u·tar·ies

Definition of TRIBUTARY for Kids

:  a stream flowing into a larger stream or a lake <The river has several tributaries.>
Medical Dictionary

tributary

noun trib·u·tary \ˈtrib-yə-ˌter-ē\
plural trib·u·tar·ies

Medical Definition of TRIBUTARY

:  a vein that empties into a larger vein

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