feed

feed [fēd]

vt.

fed, feeding [ME feden < OE fedan < base of foda, FOOD]

1. to give food to; provide food for

2.

a) to provide as food [to feed oats to horses]

b) to serve as food for

3. to provide something necessary for the growth, development, or existence of; nourish; sustain [to feed one's anger]

4. to provide (material to be used up, processed, etc.) [to feed coal into a stove]

5. to provide with material [feed the stove]

6. to provide satisfaction for; gratify [to feed one's vanity]

7. Sports to pass (the ball, puck, etc.) to (a teammate intending to make a shot, try for a goal, etc.)

8. Theater to supply (an actor) with (cue lines)

vi.

1. to eat: said chiefly of animals

2. to flow steadily, as into a machine for use, processing, etc.

n.

1.

a) food given to animals; fodder

b) the amount of fodder given at one time

2.

a) the material fed into a machine

b) the part of the machine supplying this material

c) the supplying of this material

3. Informal a meal

4. Radio, TVRadio TV a transmission by satellite, land lines, etc., as that sent by a network to individual stations for broadcast

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feed on or feed upon

1. to take as food; eat: said chiefly of animals

2. to get satisfaction, support, etc. from

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off one's feed

Slang without appetite for food; somewhat sick