pabulum

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
pabulum
    n 1: any substance that can be used as food [syn: {comestible},
         {edible}, {eatable}, {pabulum}, {victual}, {victuals}]
    2: insipid intellectual nourishment
    
from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
pabulum \pab"u*lum\, n. [L., akin to pascere to pasture. See
   {Pastor}.]
   1. The means of nutriment to animals or plants; food;
      nourishment. [WordNet sense 1]

   Syn: comestible, edible, eatable, victual, victuals.
        [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

   2. Hence: That which feeds or sustains, such as fuel for a
      fire; especially, that upon which the mind or soul is
      nourished; intellectual sustenance; as, intellectual
      pabulum. [WordNet sense 2]

   Syn: food for thought, intellectual nourishment.
        [1913 Webster + WordNet 1.5]

   3. Trite or simplistic writing, sentiments, etc.; pablum[3].
      [PJC]
    

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