Main Entry: ¹feed

Pronunciation: \ˈfēd\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): fed \ˈfed\; feed·ing

Etymology: Middle English feden, from Old English fēdan; akin to Old English fōda food — more at food

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to give food to b : to give as food
2 a : to furnish something essential to the development, sustenance, maintenance, or operation of <reading feeds the mind> b : to supply (material to be operated on) to a machine
3 : to produce or provide food for
4 a : satisfy, gratify b : support, encourage
5 a (1) : to supply for use or consumption (2) : channel, route b (1) : to supply (a signal) to an electronic circuit (2) : to send (as by wire or satellite) to a transmitting station for broadcast
6 : to supply (a fellow actor) with cues and situations that make a role more effective
7 : to pass a ball or puck to (a teammate) especially for a shot at the goalintransitive verb 1 a : to consume food : eat b : prey —used with on, upon, or off
2 : to become nourished or satisfied or sustained as if by food
3 a : to become channeled or directed b : to move into a machine or opening in order to be used or processed