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Tributary vs Estuary - What's the difference?

tributary | estuary |

As nouns the difference between estuary and tributary

is that estuary is coastal water body where ocean tides and river water merge while tributary is (river) A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.

As an adjective tributary is

related to the paying of tribute.

tributary

Noun

(tributaries)
  • (senseid) A natural water stream that flows into a larger river or other body of water.
  • A nation, state, or other entity that pays tribute.
  • Quotations

    ; nation paying tribute * 1602 : , act V scene 2 *: As England was his faithful tributary .

    Synonyms

    *(stream which flows into a larger one) affluent

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Related to the paying of tribute.
  • subordinate; inferior
  • * Milton
  • to grace his tributary gods
  • Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing.
  • The Ohio has many tributary''' streams, and is itself '''tributary to the Mississippi.

    estuary

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Noun

    (estuaries)
  • Coastal water body where ocean tides and river water merge.
  • An ocean inlet also fed by fresh river water.
  • Derived terms

    * Estuary English