Associations to the word «Tributary»

Wiktionary

TRIBUTARY, noun. ​ A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.
TRIBUTARY, noun. A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.
TRIBUTARY, adjective. Related to the paying of tribute.
TRIBUTARY, adjective. Subordinate; inferior
TRIBUTARY, adjective. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing.
TRIBUTARY LOAD, noun. (engineering) The accumulation of loads that are directed toward a particular structural member.
TRIBUTARY LOADS, noun. Plural of tributary load

Dictionary definition

TRIBUTARY, noun. A branch that flows into the main stream.
TRIBUTARY, adjective. (of a stream) flowing into a larger stream.
TRIBUTARY, adjective. Paying tribute; "a tributary colony".
TRIBUTARY, adjective. Tending to bring about; being partly responsible for; "working conditions are not conducive to productivity"; "the seaport was a contributing factor in the growth of the city"; "a contributory factor".

Wise words

Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation.
Noam Chomsky