\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.

\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.