feeder Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
  2. noun someone who consumes food for nourishment
    eater.
  3. noun a branch that flows into the main stream
    affluent; tributary; confluent.
  4. noun a machine that automatically provides a supply of some material
    self-feeder.
    • the feeder discharged feed into a trough for the livestock
  5. noun an outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds
    birdfeeder; bird feeder.
  6. noun an animal that feeds on a particular source of food
    • a bark feeder
    • a mud feeder

WordNet


Feed"er noun
Definitions
  1. One who, or that which, gives food or supplies nourishment; steward.
    A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. Goldsmith.
  2. One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. "The feeder of my riots." Shak.
  3. One who eats or feeds; specifically, an animal to be fed or fattened.
    With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder. Shak.
  4. One who fattens cattle for slaughter.
  5. A stream that flows into another body of water; a tributary; specifically (Hydraulic Engin.), a water course which supplies a canal or reservoir by gravitation or natural flow.
  6. A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line.
  7. (Mining) (a) A small lateral lode falling into the main lode or mineral vein. Ure. (b) A strong discharge of gas from a fissure; a blower. Raymond.
  8. (Mach.) An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or leads along the material operated upon.
  9. (Steam Engine) A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed.

Webster 1913