Definition

1. Noun:
   • A method of medical administration: The controlled delivery of a liquid solution (such as blood, saline, or plasma) into a patient's body one drop at a time, typically using an intravenous (IV) apparatus.
   • A slow, controlled supply of something: A metaphorical extension meaning the provision of information, resources, or money in small, measured amounts over a period of time.

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Medical context):

  • The patient required a drip feed of antibiotics for several days.
  • The drip feed was adjusted to ensure the correct dosage per hour.

• Noun (Metaphorical context):

  • The company's strategy involved a drip feed of new product details to maintain public interest.
  • He received his inheritance as a drip feed rather than a lump sum.

Advanced Usage

• "to drip-feed" (Verb, often hyphenated): To administer or supply something in a slow, controlled, incremental manner.
  • The central bank will drip-feed liquidity into the financial system.
  • The teacher drip-fed the complex concepts to the students over the semester.

Variants and Related Words

• Drip-feeding (n/gerund): The act or process of administering a drip feed.
  • The drip-feeding of nutrients was essential for the patient's recovery.
• Intravenous drip (n): A specific medical device for administering a drip feed.
  • She was hooked up to an intravenous drip.

Synonyms

• Medical: Intravenous infusion, IV drip.
• Metaphorical: Metered release, gradual release, trickle.

Related Phrases

• On a drip: Receiving medical treatment via a drip feed.
  • The dehydrated athlete was put on a drip.
• Drip-feed information: To release information slowly and deliberately.
  • The government chose to drip-feed information to the press.

Noun

1. the administration of a solution (blood or saline or plasma etc.) one drop at a time