[trib.u.tary] adj (14c) 1: paying tribute to another to acknowledge submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace: subject
2: paid or owed as tribute
3: channeling material or supplies into something more inclusive: contributory
[2]tributary n, pl -tar.ies (15c) 1: a ruler or state that pays tribute to a conqueror
2: a stream feeding a larger stream or a lake