hand-feed
Americanverb (used with object)
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Agriculture. to feed (animals) with apportioned amounts at regular intervals.
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to feed (an animal or person) by hand.
The students hand-fed the baby monkeys with an eyedropper.
Etymology
Origin of hand-feed
First recorded in 1795–1805
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Between shifts the sailors took turns to foster, hand-feed, and rear the little cats while searching for a new permanent home for them.
From BBC • May 26, 2025
They’ll also provide healthy treats to hand-feed the four-legged hikers who will be available for petting and unlimited photo opportunities.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 2, 2022
But never hand-feed an animal; you don’t want to get bitten or scratched.
From Washington Post • Oct. 6, 2022
People who hand-feed their local deer — a practice experts warn against — could also be at risk.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 7, 2022
But when Beatrice refused to eat, I had to hand-feed her a few lumps of liver-flavored kibble.
From "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
