online medical dictionary | definition of feeder

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."

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. <physics> A stream that flows into another body of water; a tributary; specifically, 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. <chemical>

A small lateral lode falling into the main lode or mineral vein. A strong discharge of gas from a fissure; a blower.

8. <machinery> An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or leads along the material operated upon.

9. <engineering> A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed.

(01 Mar 1998)