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feeler

feeler

3 5.3
A long thin part of an animal used to touch and sense things
  • noun
  • /ˈfiːlər/
translation icon : antena
  • She observed the butterfly as it waved its feeler around, searching for nectar.
  • long feelers
  • feelers and suckers
  • legs and feelers

Examples

  • After an exploratory poke or two with their legs and special feelers called palps, the wolf spiders had nothing further to do with the moths.

    Academic text (1999)

  • Gregor shook himself and then made his way slowly, exploring with his feelers.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • It's got a little microphone up it's behind and these little feelers that make it turn around again.

  • The feelers at the ends of the landing legs had touched the surface.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • "The caterpillar lifted a feeler to tap the flat bag that rode her back.

    Fiction book (2002)

  • One of them hovered directly over her head and reached down a slimy feeler.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • The crab used its long, thin feeler to explore the sandy ocean floor.

  • The insect extended its feeler to sense nearby dangers in its environment.

Synonyms

antenna
vsfeeler
17 5.1

A long thin part on an insect's head that senses touch and smell

is any long thin sensory part used for touching across animal bodies
palp
vsfeeler
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small sensitive part near the mouth of insects used for touching and tasting

is a longer thin sensory part used across body parts rather than tiny mouth organs
barbel
vsfeeler
  • Specialized
1 9.5

A short thin whisker near the mouth of some fish that helps them find food

is a long thin sensor used on different body parts rather than only mouths
sensory hair
vsfeeler
6.5

A long stiff hair near an animal's nose or eyes that senses nearby movement

is a long thin body part made of tissues rather than a stiff filament
palpus
vsfeeler
  • Specialized
9.9

A small feeler near the mouth that insects and similar animals use to taste or touch

is a longer thin part used for general touching, not only small mouth organs
sensillum
vsfeeler
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small part on an insect's body that senses touch, chemicals or movement

is a long thin appendage for touching rather than a tiny surface sensory structure
malleolus
vsfeeler
  • Specialized
9.9

A small organ under the hind leg of some spiders that senses vibrations and chemicals

is a long thin touch organ used in many places, not a small leg sensor

How Sensitive

whisker
37 1.9
feeler
3 5.3
tentacle
42 4.9
bristle
15 3.5

Surface Forms

feeler singular
feelers plural

Morphology

feeler = feel (semi-transparent) = feel + er

While the connection to 'feel' is clear, the specific anatomical meaning is not a standard grammatical derivation for all learners.

Etymology

The word feeler comes from feel + -er, literally 'one that feels'. So an animal's long, thin touch organ is called a feeler because it is used to 'feel' and find out about the world.