FEEDER

One who, or that which, gives food or supplies nourishment; steward. A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder. Goldsmith.

One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. "The feeder of my riots." Shak.

One who eats or feeds; specifically, an animal to be fed or fattened. With eager feeding, food doth choke the feeder. Shak.

One who fattens cattle for slaughter.

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.

A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line which increases the business of the main line.

A small lateral lode falling into the main lode or mineral vein. Ure.

A strong discharge of gas from a fissure; a blower. Raymond.

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

A device for supplying steam boilers with water as needed.