tractor feed: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low frequency, technical termTechnical, dated
Quick answer
What does “tractor feed” mean?
A printing mechanism that uses sprocket holes on continuous paper to guide and pull it through a printer.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A printing mechanism that uses sprocket holes on continuous paper to guide and pull it through a printer.
Can also refer to the paper itself with sprocket holes for such mechanisms, or analogously to similar feeding systems in industrial equipment.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences; the term is used identically in both dialects.
Connotations
Neutral technical term, but may evoke nostalgia or historical reference due to obsolescence.
Frequency
Equally infrequent in British and American English, mostly in specialized or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “tractor feed” in a Sentence
use tractor feedequip with tractor feedN with tractor feedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tractor feed” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We had to tractor-feed the continuous stationery through the old printer.
American English
- They tractor-fed the forms to ensure proper alignment.
adverb
British English
- The paper was fed tractor-style to prevent jams.
American English
- It feeds tractor-fast, which is efficient for continuous printing.
adjective
British English
- The tractor feed mechanism is crucial for handling perforated paper.
American English
- Tractor-feed paper is only compatible with specific printers.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; may appear in discussions about office equipment maintenance or procurement of legacy systems.
Academic
Found in technical literature on printer history, computer peripherals, or industrial design.
Everyday
Very uncommon; typically only encountered by individuals familiar with older technology or specific hobbies.
Technical
Standard term in technical manuals, specifications, and discussions about printer feeding mechanisms.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tractor feed”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tractor feed”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tractor feed”
- Misspelling as 'tractorfeed' (one word), confusing with 'tracker feed', or using it in modern contexts where it is obsolete.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely; it is mostly obsolete and replaced by friction feed or other modern paper handling methods.
No, only printers designed with a tractor feed mechanism can use tractor feed paper.
Tractor feed uses sprocket holes to pull paper, while friction feed relies on rollers pressing against the paper surface.
It is named for the tractor-like mechanism that grips and pulls the paper through the printer, similar to how a tractor pulls equipment.
A printing mechanism that uses sprocket holes on continuous paper to guide and pull it through a printer.
Tractor feed is usually technical, dated in register.
Tractor feed: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtræktə fiːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtræktər fiːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a tractor pulling paper with holes, like a farm tractor towing a trailer, to remember the feeding mechanism.
Conceptual Metaphor
The feeding process as a tractor pulling, implying continuous, controlled movement.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of tractor feed?