FEELER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does feeler mean? 

• FEELER (noun)
  The noun FEELER has 4 senses:

1. one of a pair of mobile appendages on the head of e.g. insects and crustaceans; typically sensitive to touch and taste

2. a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others

3. sensitivity similar to that of a receptor organ

4. slender tactile process on the jaws of a fish

  Familiarity information: FEELER used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FEELER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

One of a pair of mobile appendages on the head of e.g. insects and crustaceans; typically sensitive to touch and taste

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

antenna; feeler

Hypernyms ("feeler" is a kind of...):

tentacle (any of various elongated tactile or prehensile flexible organs that occur on the head or near the mouth in many animals; used for feeling or grasping or locomotion)

Derivation:

feel (examine by touch)

feel (find by testing or cautious exploration)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

advance; approach; feeler; overture

Context example:

she rejected his advances

Hypernyms ("feeler" is a kind of...):

proffer; proposition; suggestion (a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Sensitivity similar to that of a receptor organ

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

antenna; feeler

Context example:

he had a special antenna for public relations

Hypernyms ("feeler" is a kind of...):

sensitiveness; sensitivity (the ability to respond to affective changes in your interpersonal environment)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Slender tactile process on the jaws of a fish

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

barbel; feeler

Hypernyms ("feeler" is a kind of...):

tentacle (any of various elongated tactile or prehensile flexible organs that occur on the head or near the mouth in many animals; used for feeling or grasping or locomotion)

Derivation:

feel (examine by touch)

feel (find by testing or cautious exploration)

 Context examples 

I made it like those Beth invented, a big butterfly with a fat body, and black and yellow wings, worsted feelers, and bead eyes.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)