Feelers

Feelers are sensory organs, typically found on insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates, used to detect stimuli in their environment. They allow organisms to gather information about their surroundings, including touch, smell, taste, and sometimes even vibrations or chemicals. While primarily biological, the term 'feelers' can also be used metaphorically to describe methods or devices that probe or assess a situation or the sentiments of others.

Feelers meaning with examples

• The butterfly extended its delicate feelers to touch the vibrant petals of the flower, gathering information about its shape and texture. These antenna, covered in sensory receptors, allow the butterfly to taste and smell its food sources.
• The crab cautiously moved its feelers along the ocean floor, detecting the presence of a hidden predator and the suitability of the sediment for burrowing before venturing out of its hiding place to search for a meal.
• The detective used his network of informants as feelers, gathering information about the suspect's whereabouts and potential motives for committing the crime from the underworld.
• Before implementing the new policy, the company sent out market research surveys and feedback sessions as feelers to gauge employee response and gather feedback on the proposed changes.