drip feedn.
/ˈdrɪp fiːd/, U.S. /ˈdrɪp ˌfid/ 1.
a. The continuous, gradual introduction of fluid into a system or mechanism, one drop at a time; a device which performs this function. Frequently as a modifier.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > liquid > liquid flow > action or process of dripping or falling in drops > [noun]
droppingc1000
drippingc1440
stilling1530
trickling1629
dropa1637
drip1675
drip feed1899
1899 Mineral Point (Wisconsin) Tribune 16 Mar. 1/1 (advt.) We have at last found a safe gasolene stove... We have the national blue flame, wickless oil stoves, with a drip feed.
1907 Westm. Gaz. 18 Nov. 6/3 The neat four-sight drip-feed lubricator.
1929 Jrnl. Hygiene 29 302 Flow of medium was obtained by suction, and fresh medium added from a drip feed.
1964 Which? Jan. 13/1 There were 14 drip-feed heaters—the paraffin flowed to the burner from an inverted fuel container.
2017 Manning River (Austral.) Times (Nexis) 25 Aug. There was no carburettor with a revolving petrol distributor with the fuel flow being regulated by a drip feed.
b. A device that administers fluid, nutrients, or drugs into a patient's body on a continuous basis, usually intravenously, one drop at a time; a medicinal drip.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > healing > medical treatment > surgery > transfusion > [noun] > use of intravenous drip
venoclysis1926
drip1933
drip feed1936
1936 Brit. Med. Jrnl. 5 Dec. 1145/1 Water is admitted by a drip feed regulated to reach the bend of the siphon in about fifteen to twenty minutes.
1972 Danville (Va.) Reg. 5 Sept. 3 a/3 A doctor held two drip feeds above the stretcher and a nurse stood by.
2017 Irish Mirror (Nexis) 4 Feb. The only way William could get the nutrients he needed was through a drip feed of fats, proteins and fluids directly into the blood.
2. The gradual and continuous release or supply of small and separate amounts of something.
ΚΠ
1974 Guardian 2 Oct. 19/1 The drip feed of dedication has alarmingly dried up on several occasions. It is not enough to keep staff going.
1987 Sunday Times 1 Feb. 58/3 The non-executive directors..were reading about events, hearing rumours, getting a slow drip-feed of information from their own enquiries.
2016 C. O'Neil Weapons Math Destr. x. 193 Many give a drip-feed of money based on whether the messages they hear are ones they agree with.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2022).
<
n.1899