D defs.my
Entry 9 senses Webster, 1913

Feeder

/fēd'-ẽr/ · Feed·er · IPA /ˈfidɚ/
01 n. One who, or that which, gives food or supplies nourishment; steward.
  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.
  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.(Hydraulic Engin.)
  6. 6.
    A branch railroad, stage line, air route, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line.
  7. 7.
    A small lateral lode falling into the main lode or mineral vein.(Mining)
  8. 8.
    An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or leads along the material operated upon.(Mach.)
  9. 9.
    A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed.(Steam Engine)