feeler

• Nom désignant un appendice sensoriel, comme chez les insectes et les crustacés, ou une proposition préliminaire destinée à tester une réaction.

A noun referring to a sensory appendage, such as on insects and crustaceans, or a tentative suggestion intended to test reactions.

1. Insect or crustacean antennaB2formalscientific

   A movable sensory appendage on the head of insects, crustaceans, and some other arthropods, used for touching and tasting.

   Antenne d'insecte ou de crustacé

   • The snail extended its feelers carefully before moving forward.
   • A lobster uses its long feelers to detect food in murky water.
   • The beetle's feelers twitched as it sensed a nearby predator.

   Synonymesantenna

2. Tentative suggestion or probeB2informal

   A cautious question or statement made in order to gauge the reactions or opinions of others before taking further action.

   Sonder

   • The company put out feelers about a possible merger with its competitor.
   • He sent a few feelers to see if she would be interested in a promotion.
   • Putting out feelers before the negotiation helped them understand the other side's stance.

   Synonymesapproachindicatorovertureprobetesttrial balloon

3. Sensitivity or intuitive perceptionC1informal

   The ability to sense or detect something as if through a physical receptor, often used metaphorically.

   Sensibilité ou perception intuitive

   • Politicians need to keep their feelers attuned to public opinion.
   • Her creative feelers picked up on the latest trends quickly.
   • A good journalist always has their feelers out for breaking news.

   Synonymesawarenessdiscernmentinsightinstinctintuitionperceptionsensitivitysixth sense

4. Tactile process on fish jawsC2formalscientific

   A slender, touch-sensitive projection on the jaws of certain fish, used for detecting prey or navigating in dark waters.

   Barbillon tactile

   • The catfish uses its feelers to find food on the muddy riverbed.
   • Some deep-sea fish have elongated feelers that help them sense movement in total darkness.
   • The feelers on the fish's lower jaw are covered in taste buds.

   Synonymesbarbelwhisker