Definition of "tributary"

tributary

/ˈtɹɪbjʊtəɹi/

noun
plural tributaries
1. (hydrology) A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.
2. (anatomy) A vein which drains into a another vein.
3. A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.
  Quotations
  An earneſt Coniuration from the King, / As England was his faithfull Tributary
  c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene ii], page 259, column 2
adjective
not comparable
1. Related to the paying of tribute.
2. subordinate; inferior
  Quotations
  to grace his tributary gods
  1634 October 9 (first performance), [John Milton], edited by H[enry] Lawes, A Maske Presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634: […], London: […] [Augustine Matthews] for Hvmphrey Robinson, […], published 1637; reprinted as Comus: […] (Dodd, Mead & Company’s Facsimile Reprints of Rare Books; Literature Series; no. I), New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1903,
3. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing.