Trib"u*ta*ry (?), a. [OE. tributaire,
F. tributaire, L. tributarius. See Tribute.]
1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion,
as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the
purpose of purchasing peace.
[Julius] unto Rome made them tributary.
Chaucer.
2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior.
He to grace his tributary gods.
Milton.
3. Paid in tribute. "Tributary tears."
Shak.
4. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form
or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.;
contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself
tributary to the Mississippi.
Trib"u*ta*ry (?), n.; pl.
Tributaries (&?;). 1. A ruler or
state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the
purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of
submission, or for the purchase of security.
2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or
into a lake; an affluent.
Trib"u*ta*ry (?), a. [OE. tributaire,
F. tributaire, L. tributarius. See Tribute.]
1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion,
as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the
purpose of purchasing peace.
[Julius] unto Rome made them tributary.
Chaucer.
2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior.
He to grace his tributary gods.
Milton.
3. Paid in tribute. "Tributary tears."
Shak.
4. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form
or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.;
contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself
tributary to the Mississippi.
Trib"u*ta*ry (?), n.; pl.
Tributaries (&?;). 1. A ruler or
state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the
purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of
submission, or for the purchase of security.
2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or
into a lake; an affluent.
