Literary notes about Tributary (AI summary)
The term "tributary" in literature carries rich, multifaceted meanings. In many works it denotes natural channels—a smaller stream joining a larger river—as seen when authors describe minor creeks feeding into vast waterways ([1], [2], [3], [4]). Simultaneously, writers use the word metaphorically to portray subordinate relationships, whether depicting regions or peoples under a dominant power ([5], [6], [7], [8]). In some texts, the term even extends into the realm of emotion, likening streams of feeling or tears to tributary flows that contribute to a larger whole ([9], [10]). This versatility allows authors to draw evocative parallels between natural phenomena and social or emotional structures.
- An upper tributary of Savannah river in Georgia bears the name War-woman creek.
— from Myths of the Cherokee by James Mooney - It stood on the plain of the Bætis, some distance south of the river, on its tributary the Singulis or Xenil.
— from The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny - The river Mæander, rising from a lake in Mount Aulocrene, waters many cities and receives numerous tributary streams.
— from The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 1 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny - She lived in a tower on the river Lippe, a tributary of the Rhine.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer - The returns which were sent of every province or district, expressed the number of tributary subjects, and the amount of the public impositions.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - On this account various expeditions were made by Spain against Algeria, and by 1510 the greater part of the country was made tributary.
— from The New Gresham Encyclopedia. A to Amide by Various - Well, Scotland and Ireland were tributary to Arthur, and the united populations of the British Islands amounted to something less than 1,000,000.
— from A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain - If Spartianus is not, as I strongly suspect, mistaken, he has brought to light a dynasty of tributary princes totally unknown to history.
— from The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon - He never cared half so much for any of the children as he did for you, and now you can't even give him a tributary tear."
— from A True Friend: A Novel by Adeline Sergeant - Why, I have not another tear to shed; Besides, this sorrow is an enemy, And would usurp upon my wat'ry eyes And make them blind with tributary tears.
— from The Complete Works of William Shakespeare by William Shakespeare
