feeler

[ fee-ler ]

noun

1. a person or thing that feels.
2. a proposal, remark, hint, etc., designed to bring out the opinions or purposes of others:

   Interested in an accord, both labor and management were putting out feelers.

3. Zoology. an organ of touch, as an antenna or a tentacle.
4. Also called feel·er gauge [fee, -ler geyj]. Engineering. a gauge having several blades of known thickness, used for measuring clearances.
5. Nautical. a device for indicating that the lead of a mechanical sounding device has come to the bottom.

feeler

/ ˈfiːlə /

noun

1. a person or thing that feels
2. an organ in certain animals, such as an antenna or tentacle, that is sensitive to touch
3. a remark designed to probe the reactions or intentions of other people

feeler

/ fē′lər /

1. A slender body part used for touching or sensing. The antennae of insects and the barbels of catfish are feelers.

Word History and Origins

Origin of feeler¹

First recorded in 1520–30; feel + -er ¹

Idioms and Phrases

see put out feelers .

Example Sentences

Privately, Banks put out feelers about running for the job himself.

From The Daily Beast

As In the Heights was declared the toast of Broadway, Hollywood started putting out feelers.

From Vox

Washington, a 6-foot-3, 185-pounder who averaged 24 points, seven assists and six rebounds for the 30-2 Compass Prep team, has gotten feelers from other schools, his father told the Athletic.

From Washington Post

So for the past few years, Gordon has put out feelers to institutions to take over Lynne’s life’s work.

From Eater

All those cells allow these flexible feelers to operate almost on their own.

From Science News For Students

He threw out this last suggestion as a kind of feeler; and then suddenly made the plunge.

From Project Gutenberg

A mild electrical shock coursed through his body, as if an invisible feeler had passed over him.

From Project Gutenberg

The feeler had all but touched Quade, and with the closeness of his escape, the remnants of his courage gave.

From Project Gutenberg

It's feeler rays, Dr. Lee; the first wave, low penetration surface rays.

From Project Gutenberg

The huge disk with the feeler-ray antennae sank down close to his chest, heavy as the keystone upon a tomb.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• overture