FEEDER

feeder. Feeder, n. one who gives food, eats or encourages

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Feed″er (?), n. 1. 1. One who, or that which, gives food or supplies nourishment; steward.
A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. Goldsmith. 2. 2. One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. “The feeder of my riots.” Shak.
3. 3. One who eats or feeds; specifically, an animal to be fed or fattened.
With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder. Shak. 4. 4. One who fattens cattle for slaughter.
5. 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. 6. A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line.
7. 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. 8. (Mach.) An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or leads along the material operated upon.
9. 9. (Steam Engine) A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed.