CultureJuly 13, 2026

tributary

/ˈtrɪbjʊtɛri/

Definition

A smaller stream or river that flows into a larger main river or lake.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'tributarius,' meaning 'of or for the payment of tribute.' It originally referred to subjects who paid tribute to a ruler, later metaphorically applied to streams that 'pay' their waters into a larger river.

In the news

In the film synopsis for 'The Blue Trail,' the word refers to the winding waterways of the Amazon River system that the protagonist navigates during her transformative journey. It emphasizes the complex and interconnected nature of the landscape she travels.

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