feeler

American  

[fee-ler] / ˈfi lər /

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 feeler gauge.  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.

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feeler British  

/ 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

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feeler Scientific  

/ fē′lər /

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

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feeler Idioms  

1. see put out feelers.

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Etymology

Origin of feeler

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

Example Sentences

It had been just a matter of time before Kelly and the creepy Feeler kids found their way to Zach.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2015

Products at the show included Ecotono’s Feeler pendant light with an integrated Bluetooth speaker, Mio Feltforms decorative panels that double as acoustic tiles, and Oso Industries’ concrete Rollerboy rolling table/stool/ottoman.

From Washington Post • Jun. 2, 2015

On his cellphone, Larry Feeler carries a photo of the antler chandelier at his home in Austin, Tex.

From New York Times • Feb. 4, 2013

Otherwise the angles might inflict on the unwary Feeler irreparable injury.

From Flatland: a romance of many dimensions (Illustrated) by Abbott, Edwin Abbott

Two years since, the sons sold it to Peter Feeler for a hundred an acre; or for the total sum of five thousand dollars.

From Home as Found by Cooper, James Fenimore

Related Words

• overture