Spoonfed

Part of speech: adjective, verb

Definitions

1. Information or ideas given to someone in an easily digestible form without requiring them to think or research ; fed food using a spoon
2. Presented with facts or answers in simplified form that requires no independent thought or investigation ; nourished by means of a spoon
3. Supplied with ready-made conclusions or knowledge without the need for active learning ; eating delivered by spoon

Etymology: "Spoonfed" is the past form of "spoonfeed," which is built from "spoon" and "feed." The verb began as a literal activity: feeding an infant or invalid by putting food into the mouth with a spoon, since they could not feed themselves. From that picture of being fed by hand, the sense shifted to someone being given information, opinions or help so readily that they never have to work things out for themselves. The adjective use follows the same path. Describing a student, a reader or a voter as "spoonfed" means they have been handed conclusions rather than having reached them, and the criticism assumes the spoon is the wrong tool for an adult. The image is one of total dependence, with the spoon standing in for every step of effort the recipient skips.

Synonyms: spoon-fed