Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
force-feed [fawrs-feed, fohrs-] ExamplesWord Origin verb (used with object), force-fed, force-feed·ing.
- to compel to take food, especially by means of a tube inserted into the throat: They force-fed the prisoners in the hunger strike.
- to compel to absorb or assimilate: The recruits were force-fed a military attitude.
Origin of force-feed First recorded in 1905–10 force feed noun
- lubrication under pressure, as from a pump, used especially in internal-combustion engines.
Origin of force feed First recorded in 1915–20 Examples from the Web for force-feed Historical Examples of force-feed
One o’ these days I’ll have to force-feed you if you won’t pay no mind to your own nourishment!
Tom Swift and the Electronic Hydrolung
Victor Appleton
British Dictionary definitions for force-feed force-feed verb -feeds, -feeding or -fed (tr)
- to force (a person or animal) to eat or swallow food
- to force (someone) to receive opinions, propaganda, etc
noun force feed
- a method of lubrication in which a pump forces oil into the bearings of an engine, etc
Word Origin and History for force-feed v.
by 1909, from force (n.) + feed (v.). Related: Force-fed; force-feeding.