Collins English-English Dictionary

feed [fiːd]

1. 1. vb [mainly tr] to give food to

   to feed the cat

2. 2. vb to give as food

   to feed meat to the cat

3. 3. vi. [intr] to eat food

   the horses feed at noon

4. 4. vi. to provide food for

   these supplies can feed 10 million people

5. 5. vi. to provide what is necessary for the existence or development of

   to feed one's imagination

6. 6. vi. to gratify; satisfy

   to feed one's eyes on a beautiful sight

7. 7. vi. [also intr] to supply (a machine, furnace, etc) with (the necessary materials or fuel) for its operation, or (of such materials) to flow or move forwards into a machine, etc

8. 8. vi. to use (land) as grazing

9. 9. vi. [theatre] [informal] to cue (an actor, esp a comedian) with lines or actions

10. 10. vi. [sport] to pass a ball to (a team-mate)

11. 11. vi. [electronics] to introduce (electrical energy) into a circuit, esp by means of a feeder

12. 12. vi. [also intr; foll by on or upon] to eat or cause to eat

13. 13. n the act or an instance of feeding

14. 14. n food, esp that of animals or babies

15. 15. n the process of supplying a machine or furnace with a material or fuel

16. 16. n the quantity of material or fuel so supplied

17. 17. n the rate of advance of a cutting tool in a lathe, drill, etc

18. 18. n a mechanism that supplies material or fuel or controls the rate of advance of a cutting tool

19. 19. n [theatre] [informal] a performer, esp a straight man, who provides cues

20. 20. n an informal word for meal

21. 21. n [Etymology] Old English fedan; related to Old Norse ftha to feed, Old High German fuotan, Gothic fothjan; see food, fodder