tributary vs feeder

tributary and feeder both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
tributary	Yes	Yes	No	No
feeder	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, tributary and feeder are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of tributary include affluent, confluent.

tributary (noun)	feeder (noun)
a branch that flows into the main stream	an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
	an animal that feeds on a particular source of food
	a machine that automatically provides a supply of some material
	an outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds
	a branch that flows into the main stream
	someone who consumes food for nourishment

tributary (adjective)	feeder (adjective)
tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
paying tribute
(of a stream) flowing into a larger stream