a person or thing that feels.

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.

Zoology . an organ of touch, as an antenna or a tentacle.

Also called feeler gauge. Engineering . a gauge having several blades of known thickness, used for measuring clearances.

Nautical . a device for indicating that the lead of a mechanical sounding device has come to the bottom.

noun

tentacle , antenna , finger , claw , hand , vibrissa , whisker , barbel , palpus , palp , hint , probe , essay , proposal , prospectus , intimation , trial balloon , test , sample , overture , advance , approach , straw vote , horn , palpi , palpus. pl.antenn , question , tentacula , tentaculum