feeler

noun4

1. •
   Someone or something that feels.

   • Are you more of a feeler or more of a thinker?
2. •
   An antenna or appendage used for feeling, especially on an insect.

   • Her mate has tried to avoid this destiny. The male European mantis “uses his feelers to calm her down”, the BBC narrates. — 2021
3. •
   (figurative) Something ventured to test another's feelings, opinion, or position.

   • I sent out some feelers but they didn't seem interested.
   • This survey is designed to get a feeler about how the citizens feel about the proposed new highway.
4. •
   (Philippines, figurative) a presumptive person; someone who bases on gut feeling, such as assuming or imagining that something said or done, whether positive or negative, was for a person despite having no concrete confirmation but gut feeling, or someone who assumes one's affection is reciprocated, or indulges in one's own wishful thinking or flatters oneself

   • All I can say to you is be cool, stick together and do your best to keep your 'affairs' away from the administration's "feelers" because there's no justice in the justice business. — 1988