hand-feed

[ hand-feed ]

verb (used with object)

, hand-fed, hand-feed·ing.

1. Agriculture. to feed (animals) with apportioned amounts at regular intervals. Compare self-feed.
2. to feed (an animal or person) by hand:

   The students hand-fed the baby monkeys with an eyedropper.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand-feed¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Volunteers there and at other labs across Florida will hand-feed the tiny creatures to keep them alive until the Florida waters cool again and they can be returned to the ocean and eventually transplanted onto the reef.

From Scientific American

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

Two middle-aged men — a stablehand and a horse trainer who had reportedly tried to hand-feed the dying mare — developed flulike symptoms, too.

From New York Times

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

But never hand-feed an animal; you don’t want to get bitten or scratched.

From Washington Post