---
title: tributary — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «tributary» in the school dictionary: A tributary is a river or stream that flows into a bigger river or a lake. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# tributary

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** tributary, river, state, stream, Many tributaries, you · **What happens:** be, flow, pay, join, meet, call · **To what, where:** river, bigger river, state, tribute, tributary, Amazon · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«tributary» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [tributary in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/tributary.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A tributary is a river or stream that flows into a bigger river or a lake.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:m1:1
# text = A tributary is a river or stream that flows into a bigger river or a lake.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	tributary	tributary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	stream	stream	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	conj	_	_
8	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	9	nsubj	_	_
9	flows	flow	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	acl:relcl	_	_
10	into	into	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	bigger	big	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	13	amod	_	_
13	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	_
14	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	16	cc	_	_
15	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	lake	lake	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	13	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a tributary | a river or stream |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **flow** | present | a river or stream |  |  | a bigger river or a lake |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «NP V»: agent=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A tributary can also be a state or kingdom that pays tribute to a stronger ruler.

<!-- fold The tree, 16 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:m2:1
# text = A tributary can also be a state or kingdom that pays tribute to a stronger ruler.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	tributary	tributary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
3	can	can	AUX	MD	VerbForm=Fin	7	aux	_	_
4	also	also	ADV	RB	_	7	advmod	_	_
5	be	be	AUX	VB	VerbForm=Inf	7	cop	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	state	state	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	kingdom	kingdom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	conj	_	_
10	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	11	nsubj	_	_
11	pays	pay	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	acl:relcl	_	_
12	tribute	tribute	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obj	_	_
13	to	to	ADP	IN	_	16	case	_	_
14	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
15	stronger	strong	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	16	amod	_	_
16	ruler	ruler	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | can | a tributary | a state or kingdom |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **pay** | present | a state or kingdom | tribute |  |  |  | to a stronger ruler | vn pay-68-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent tribute=Asset |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The stream is a tributary of the River Thames.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x1:1
# text = The stream is a tributary of the River Thames.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	stream	stream	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	tributary	tributary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	River	River	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	9	compound	_	_
9	Thames	Thames	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | the stream | a tributary |  |  |  | of the River Thames | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Many tributaries join the Amazon.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x2:1
# text = Many tributaries join the Amazon.
1	Many	many	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	tributaries	tributary	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	nsubj	_	_
3	join	join	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	Amazon	Amazon	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **join** | present | Many tributaries | the Amazon |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent amazon=Patient |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The place where a tributary meets the main river is called a confluence.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x3:1
# text = The place where a tributary meets the main river is called a confluence.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	place	place	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	where	where	ADV	WRB	PronType=Rel	6	advmod	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	tributary	tributary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nsubj	_	_
6	meets	meet	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	acl:relcl	_	_
7	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
8	main	main	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
10	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	aux:pass	_	_
11	called	call	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
12	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
13	confluence	confluence	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	11	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	11	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **meet** | present | a tributary | the main river |  |  |  |  | vn meet-36.3-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent river=Co-Agent |
| 2 | **call** | present · passive |  | the place |  |  |  |  | vn initiate\_communication-37.4.2-1 «NP V NP.recipient»: subject=Recipient |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The tributary was flooded after the rain.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x4:1
# text = The tributary was flooded after the rain.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	tributary	tributary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj:pass	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	aux:pass	_	_
4	flooded	flood	VERB	VBN	Tense=Past|VerbForm=Part|Voice=Pass	0	root	_	_
5	after	after	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
7	rain	rain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **flood** | past · passive |  | the tributary |  |  | after the rain |  | vn other\_cos-45.4 «NP V NP.patient»: subject=Patient |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Label the tributaries on the map.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x5:1
# text = Label the tributaries on the map.
1	Label	label	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	tributaries	tributary	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	1	obj	_	_
4	on	on	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
5	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
6	map	map	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **label** | imperative | you *not said here* | the tributaries |  | the map |  |  | vn butter-9.9 «NP V NP.destination»: agent=Agent tributary=Destination |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The river gets bigger as more tributaries join it.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x6:1
# text = The river gets bigger as more tributaries join it.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	river	river	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gets	get	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	bigger	big	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	3	xcomp	_	_
5	as	as	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
6	more	more	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	7	amod	_	_
7	tributaries	tributary	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	nsubj	_	_
8	join	join	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	advcl	_	_
9	it	it	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Neut|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **get** | present | the river |  |  |  |  | big *property* | vn comprehend-87.2-1 «NP V S\_ING»: agent=Experiencer |
| 2 | **join** | present | more tributaries | river |  |  |  |  | vn mix-22.1-2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent it=Patient |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Balsora was the capital of a kingdom long tributary to the caliph.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:tributary:x7:1
# text = Balsora was the capital of a kingdom long tributary to the caliph.
1	Balsora	Balsora	PROPN	NNP	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	capital	capital	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	of	of	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
6	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	9	det	_	_
7	kingdom	kingdom	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl:unmarked	_	_
8	long	long	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	amod	_	_
9	tributary	tributary	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nmod	_	_
10	to	to	ADP	IN	_	12	case	_	_
11	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	12	det	_	_
12	caliph	caliph	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past | Balsora | the capital |  |  |  | of a long tributary to the caliph | tree rules |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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