feeder

noun16

1. •
   One who feeds, or gives food to another.
2. •
   The participant in feederism who feeds the other (the feedee).

   • Often similes such as 'soft as velvet' or 'fluffy like a cloud' will be employed and the feeder will describe how he feels he can be lost in the enveloping folds of soft flesh. — 2010
3. •
   That which is used to feed.
4. •
   A tributary stream, especially of a canal.
5. •
   A branch line of a railway.

   • This line, described as a valuable feeder to the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway, was opened on July 8, 1836, and superseded the older wagonway. — 1942
6. •
   A transmission line that feeds the electricity for an electricity substation, or for a transmitter.
7. •
   A feeder ship.
8. •
   (US) A judge whose law clerks are often selected to become clerks for the Supreme Court.
9. •
   Ellipsis of feeder school.
10. •
    One who, or that which, feeds material into something (especially a machine).

    • When the claxon sounded they immediately stopped what they were doing and uncovered the Oerlikon. Paddy, who was ammunition feeder, stood by while Jock trained the 20mm gun around. — 2007
11. •
    One who feeds, or takes in food.

    • The patch is kind enough, but a huge feeder, Snail-slow in profit, and he sleeps by day More than the wild-cat; […] — 1596
12. •
    (disapproving) A player whose character is killed by the opposing player or team more than once, deliberately or through lack of skills and experience, thus helping the opposing side.
13. •
    Synonym of blower (“fissure from which firedamp issues”).
14. •
    (slang, no longer used) The pitcher.
15. •
    (no longer used) A parasite.
16. •
    (no longer used) One who abets another.

    • Go with me; if you like upon report The soil, the profit, and this kind of life, I will your very faithful feeder be, And buy it with your gold right suddenly. — 1598