tributary

Etymology

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

noun

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

adj

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.