A couple of friends, his chaplain and feeder.
--Goldsmith.
2. One who furnishes incentives; an encourager. ``The feeder
of my riots.'' --Shak.
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. 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.
6. A branch railroad, stage line, or the like; a side line
which increases the business of the main line.
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.
8. (Mach.) An auxiliary part of a machine which supplies or
leads along the material operated upon.
9. (Steam Engine) A device for supplying steam boilers with
water as needed.