Feeder

Feeder Feed"er, n. 1. One who, or that which, gives food or supplies nourishment; steward. [1913 Webster]

A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. --Goldsmith. [1913 Webster]

2. One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. ``The feeder of my riots.'' --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. One who eats or feeds; specifically, an animal to be fed or fattened. [1913 Webster]

With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. One who fattens cattle for slaughter. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

6. A branch railroad, stage line, air route, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line. [1913 Webster +PJC]

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. [1913 Webster]

8. (Mach.) An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or leads along the material operated upon. [1913 Webster]

9. (Steam Engine) A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed. [1913 Webster]