HANDFEED Meaning and
Definition
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Handfeed is a verb that refers to the practice of providing nourishment or sustenance to a living being, specifically by manual or direct administration of food or liquid. The process involves physically placing small portions of food or liquid into the mouth or beak of the organism, often by using one's hands or fingers. This term is commonly associated with domesticated or captive animals, such as birds, reptiles, or even certain mammals, that require individualized attention or specialized care with feeding.
Handfeeding may be necessary in situations where an animal is unwell, too young or weak to eat independently, or simply incapable of obtaining food by themselves. It can also be used as a technique in the process of taming or training certain animals, as it fosters a bond of trust and dependence between the caregiver and the animal. Although primarily linked to animals, handfeeding can also apply to humans in certain contexts, such as infants or individuals with physical disabilities who cannot feed themselves.
Additionally, handfeeding can have metaphorical connotations in non-literal usage. It can represent providing support or assistance to someone, offering guidance or mentorship, or even nurturing an idea or project. In these figurative senses, handfeeding implies a deliberate and intentional act of care and attention, often involving a personalized or individualized approach to meet specific needs or circumstances.
Etymology of HANDFEED
The word "handfeed" is a compound word derived from two separate entities: "hand" and "feed".
1. "Hand": The word comes from Old English "hand", which is of Germanic origin. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "handuz", and related to Old High German "hant", Dutch "hand", and German "Hand". Its ultimate origin is uncertain, but it is thought to be related to the Proto-Indo-European root word "ḱem-", meaning "to grab" or "to take".
2. "Feed": The word comes from Old English "fēdan", derived from the Proto-Germanic word "fōdijaną". It is akin to Old High German "fuotan", Dutch "voeden", Old Norse "fœða", and German "füttern".
Conjugate verb Handfeed
CONDITIONAL
I
would handfeed
you
would handfeed
he/she/it
would handfeed
we
would handfeed
they
would handfeed
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be handfeeding
you
would be handfeeding
he/she/it
would be handfeeding
we
would be handfeeding
they
would be handfeeding
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have handfeed
you
would have handfeed
he/she/it
would have handfeed
we
would have handfeed
they
would have handfeed
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been handfeeding
you
would have been handfeeding
he/she/it
would have been handfeeding
we
would have been handfeeding
they
would have been handfeeding
FUTURE
I
will handfeed
you
will handfeed
he/she/it
will handfeed
we
will handfeed
they
will handfeed
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be handfeeding
you
will be handfeeding
he/she/it
will be handfeeding
we
will be handfeeding
they
will be handfeeding
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have handfed
you
will have handfed
he/she/it
will have handfed
we
will have handfed
they
will have handfed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been handfeeding
you
will have been handfeeding
he/she/it
will have been handfeeding
we
will have been handfeeding
they
will have been handfeeding
IMPERATIVE
you
handfeed
we
let´s handfeed
to handfeed
PAST
I
handfed
you
handfed
he/she/it
handfed
we
handfed
they
handfed
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was handfeeding
you
were handfeeding
he/she/it
was handfeeding
we
were handfeeding
they
were handfeeding
PAST PARTICIPLE
handfed
PAST PERFECT
I
had handfed
you
had handfed
he/she/it
had handfed
we
had handfed
they
had handfed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been handfeeding
you
had been handfeeding
he/she/it
had been handfeeding
we
had been handfeeding
they
had been handfeeding
PRESENT
I
handfeed
you
handfeed
he/she/it
handfeeds
we
handfeed
they
handfeed
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am handfeeding
you
are handfeeding
he/she/it
is handfeeding
we
are handfeeding
they
are handfeeding
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
handfeeding
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have handfed
you
have handfed
he/she/it
has handfed
we
have handfed
they
have handfed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been handfeeding
you
have been handfeeding
he/she/it
has been handfeeding
we
have been handfeeding
they
have been handfeeding
