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 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.

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

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

“Putting out a feeler in a noncrisis situation to see what kind of reactions you get is a really valuable thing,” she says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Finally, she’s put out feelers to those with private planes, even offering to provide a free solo concert in return for a flight to Wichita.

Read more on MarketWatch

The COP30 climate summit in Brazil in November will provide another opportunity to put the feelers out, ahead of the UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi in December.

Read more on Barron's

Mr Walker said the council is "putting all of its feelers out" to "try and raise the money it can to stand a chance at bidding".

Read more on BBC

The disgruntled fishermen put out feelers and a syndicate is formed often involving different businessmen from the cities of Garowe and Bosaso.

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Related Words

• overture