trib·u·tary /ˈtrɪbjəˌtɛri/
  (a.)納貢的,從屬的,補助的納貢者,屬國,支流
  trib·u·tary /ˈtrɪbjəˌtɛrɪ/ 名詞
  (河道的)支流,附庸
  tributary
  區間幹線
  tributary
  支流
  Trib·u·ta·ry a.
  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.”
  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.
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  tributary
       adj 1: of a stream; flowing into a larger stream
       2: paying tribute; "a tributary colony"
       3: 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" [syn: conducive, contributing(a),
           contributive, contributory]
       n : a branch that flows into the main stream [syn: feeder, affluent]
           [ant: distributary]