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trib·u·tar·y

(trĭbyə-tĕr′ē)

n. pl. trib·u·tar·ies

1. A stream that flows into a larger stream or other body of water.

2. A ruler or nation that pays tribute.

adj.

1. Making additions or yielding supplies; contributory.

2. Paid in tribute.

3. Paying tribute: a tributary colony.

[Middle English tributarie, paying tribute, from Latin tribūtārius, from tribūtum, tribute; see TRIBUTE.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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