underfeed

American  

[uhn-der-feed, uhn-der-feed] / ˌʌn dərˈfid, ˈʌn dɛrˌfid /

verb (used with object)

underfed, underfeeding

1. to feed insufficiently.

2. to feed with fuel from beneath.

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underfeed British  

verb

1. to give too little food to

2. to supply (a furnace, engine, etc) with fuel from beneath

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noun

1. an apparatus by which fuel, etc, is supplied from below

Etymology

Origin of underfeed

First recorded in 1650–60; under- + feed

Example Sentences

"You shouldn't underfeed the poor kid," said Wally.

From Captain Jim by Bruce, Mary Grant

Under an unwise or indolent herder the sheep going on an unaccustomed trail will overtravel and underfeed, until in the midst of good pasture they starve upon their feet.

From Introduction to the Science of Sociology by Park, Robert Ezra

One of these boilers is equipped with a Jones underfeed stoker, and is baffled in the regular way.

From Transactions of the American Society of Civil Engineers, vol. LXX, Dec. 1910 Federal Investigations of Mine Accidents, Structural Materials and Fuels. Paper No. 1171 by Wilson, Herbert M.

A great many breeders underfeed their young stock to stop growth, which I believe to be a very grave mistake.

From The Boston Terrier and All About It A Practical, Scientific, and Up to Date Guide to the Breeding of the American Dog by Axtell, Edward

She will overwork you, I'm afraid: I only hope she won't underfeed you.

From Lippincott's Magazine, Vol. 22, November, 1878 of Popular Literature and Science by Various