feeder
    n 1: an animal being fattened or suitable for fattening
    2: someone who consumes food for nourishment [syn: eater,
       feeder]
    3: a branch that flows into the main stream [syn: feeder,
       tributary, confluent, affluent] [ant: distributary]
    4: a machine that automatically provides a supply of some
       material; "the feeder discharged feed into a trough for the
       livestock" [syn: self-feeder, feeder]
    5: an outdoor device that supplies food for wild birds [syn:
       bird feeder, birdfeeder, feeder]
    6: an animal that feeds on a particular source of food; "a bark
       feeder"; "a mud feeder"

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