feel (fēl)

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[Middle English felen, from Old English fēlan.]

verb: felt (fĕlt), feel·ing, feels. 

transitive verb 

1. 1. To perceive through the sense of touch: feel the velvety smoothness of a peach.
   2. To perceive as a physical sensation: feel a sharp pain; feel the cold.
2. 1. To touch.
   2. To examine by touching. See synonyms at touch
3. To test or explore with caution: feel one's way in a new job.
4. 1. To undergo the experience of: felt my interest rising; felt great joy.
   2. To be aware of; sense: felt the anger of the crowd.
   3. To be emotionally affected by: She still feels the loss of her dog.
5. 1. To be persuaded of (something) on the basis of intuition, emotion, or other indefinite grounds: I feel that what the informant says may well be true.
   2. To believe; think: She felt his answer to be evasive.

intransitive verb 

1. To experience sensations of touch.
2. 1. To produce a particular sensation, especially through the sense of touch: The sheets felt smooth.
   2. To produce a particular impression; appear to be; seem: It feels good to be home. See Usage Note at: well
3. To be conscious of a specified kind or quality of physical, mental, or emotional state: felt warm and content; feels strongly about the election.
4. To seek or explore something by the sense of touch: felt for the light switch in the dark.
5. To have compassion or sympathy: I feel for him in his troubles.

noun 

1. Perception by or as if by touch; sensation: a feel of autumn in the air.
2. The sense of touch: a surface that is rough to the feel.
3. 1. An act or instance of touching or feeling.
   2. Vulgar An act or instance of sexual touching or fondling.
4. The nature or quality of something as perceived by or as if by the sense of touch: “power steering that seems overassisted, eliminating road feel” (Mark Ginsburg)
5. Overall impression or effect; atmosphere: “gives such disparate pictures . . . a crazily convincing documentary feel” (Stephen King)
6. Intuitive awareness or natural ability: has a feel for decorating.

phrasal verbs

feel out

To try cautiously or indirectly to ascertain the viewpoint or nature of.

feel up

To touch or fondle (someone) sexually.

idioms

feel in (one's) bones

To have an intuition of.

feel like

To have an inclination or desire for: felt like going for a walk.

feel like (oneself)

To sense oneself as being in one's normal state of health or spirits: I just don't feel like myself today.

feel (one's) oats

To be energetic and playful. To act in a self-important manner.