tributary

River's smaller source

A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger one rather than directly into a sea or lake: The Missouri River is a tributary of the Mississippi.

The word extends to anything that feeds into something larger or more important.

As an adjective, tributary describes this relationship of flowing into or contributing to a main body.

Historically, tributary also meant paying tribute to a conquering power: tributary states.

river

creek

Narrow natural watercourse

streamSteady continuous flow
brookSmall flowing watercourse
rivuletVery small stream

feeder · branch · fork · confluence · watershed · drainage · headwater · upstream · downstream · delta

subordinate

vassal

Land-holding sworn subordinate

dependentRequiring outside support
subjectMatter under discussion
client stateDependent nation under patronage

satellite · underling · inferior · subservient · secondary · minor · lesser · auxiliary · peripheral · beholden

confluence

junction

Point where things meet

mergingBlending into one
convergenceProcess of approaching sameness
joiningLinking into one

meeting · union · intersection · inflow · feeding · branching · network · system

payment

tax

Mandatory public revenue charge

levyCompulsory government charge
duesRegular membership payments
titheTenth for clergy

assessment · offering · ransom · protection money · fee · toll · exaction · impost

tributary

creek

vassal

junction

tax

tributary

Opposites

Phrases

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