different between distributary vs anabranching

English

Etymology

distribute +? -ary

Adjective

distributary (comparative more distributary, superlative most distributary)

1. That distributes.

Noun

distributary (plural distributaries)

1. (hydrology) A stream of water (either natural or artificial) that branches off and flows away from a main stream channel.

   Antonym: tributary

Translations

English

Etymology

From ana- +? branching.

Adjective

anabranching (not comparable)

1. (hydrology, of a water channel) Splitting around mid-channel islands that are roughly three times the width of the channel at full discharge.
   • 2008 January 18, Robert C. Walter and Dorothy J. Merritts, "Natural Streams and the Legacy of Water-Powered Mills"^[2], Science 319(5861), page 299:

   In particular, logjams blocked channels and led to the formation of side channels and floodplain sloughs, producing multiple anabranching channels and riverine wetlands that are in stark contrast to the large, single channels that exist in these streams today.

Coordinate terms

• anastomosing
• braided
• distributary
• meandering
• reticulate
• straight