What does "feeler" mean?

Feeler: (Zoöl.) One of the sense organs or certain animals (as insects), which are used in testing objects by touch and in searching for food; an antenna; a palp. Insects . . . perpetually feeling and searching before them with their feelers or antennæ. Derham.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Anything, as a proposal, observation, etc., put forth or thrown out in order to ascertain the views of others; something tentative.

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