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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.