feeler
Tentative inquiry sent
A feeler is something that feels or probes—most concretely, the sensory appendages on insects and crustaceans: antennae, palps, tentacles.
Figuratively, to put out feelers is to make cautious preliminary inquiries, testing reactions before committing to action: She put out feelers about a possible job change.
The image is of an insect tentatively exploring its environment.
Flexible grasping appendage
- palpSensory appendage on arthropods
- whiskerStiff facial bristle
- barbelFish's fleshy feeler
- cirrusHigh wispy ice formation
appendage · proboscis · cephalopod · octopus · squid · cuttlefish · prehensile · tactile
Preliminary test of opinion
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- approachWay of handling something
- advanceMove or progress forward
- soundingDepth measurement technique
proposal · query · test · preliminary · fishing expedition · gauging · survey · proposition
Unproven inner sense
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
- insightDeep perceptive understanding
perception · sensitivity · awareness · impression · inkling · sense · vibe · reading
Input-detecting device
- detectorDevice that senses
- gaugeStandard of measurement
- testerOne who evaluates
- indicatorSign revealing status
sonde · electrode · transducer · instrument · device · measuring · sampling · exploratory
tentacle
Flexible grasping appendage
cirrus · appendage · proboscis · cephalopod · octopus · squid · cuttlefish · prehensile · tactile · probing
trial balloon
Preliminary test of opinion
- overtureIntroductory orchestral piece
- approachWay of handling something
- advanceMove or progress forward
sounding · proposal · query · test · preliminary · fishing expedition · gauging · survey · proposition · bid
hunch
Unproven inner sense
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
- sixth senseExtrasensory perception ability
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
insight · perception · sensitivity · awareness · impression · inkling · sense · vibe · reading · empathy
sensor
Input-detecting device
indicator · sonde · electrode · transducer · instrument · device · measuring · sampling · exploratory · diagnostic
- arthropod partsleg, legs, antennae, claws, claw
- animal partsappendage, forelimb, hind leg, hind legs, hindlegs
- personality typespersonality type, extrovert, MBTI, introversion, pessimist
- perceiversperceiver, observer, watcher, viewer, looker
- Antennasdipole, monopole, helical, array, reflector
- extensionsadd-on, appendix, appendage, annex, supplement
feelerdirect question
Unambiguous inquiry seeking response
ultimatum · demand · interrogation · confrontation · cross-examination
feelercommitment
Firm pledge to act
firm offer · declaration · binding agreement · ultimatum · final answer
- feel freePermission casually granted
- feel likeDesire informally expressed
- feeling goodPositive emotional condition
- feeling downExperiencing sadness or dejection
- I feelSubjective statement introduction
- feeling blueExperiencing mild sadness