feeling

feeling [fēl′iŋ]

adj.

[ME feling: see FEEL & -ING]

full of or expressing emotion or sensitivity; sympathetic

n.

1. that one of the senses by which sensations of contact, pressure, temperature, and pain are transmitted through the skin; sense of touch

2. the power or faculty of experiencing physical sensation

3. an awareness; consciousness; sensation [a feeling of pain]

4.

a) emotion or sensitivity [singing with feeling]

b) an emotion

5. [pl.] the power or faculty of experiencing emotions and subjective responses [to hurt someone's feelings]

6. a kindly, generous attitude; sympathy; pity

7.

a) an opinion or sentiment [a feeling that he is honest]

b) a premonition [a feeling that we will win]

8. an impression or emotional quality; air; atmosphere [the lonely feeling of the city at night]

9. a natural ability or sensitive appreciation [a feeling for music]

10. the emotional quality in a work of art

feelingly

adv.

SYN.- FEELING, when unqualified in the context, refers to any of the subjective reactions, pleasant or unpleasant, that one may have to a situation and usually connotes an absence of reasoning [I can't trust my own feelings]; EMOTION implies an intense feeling with physical as well as mental manifestations [her breast heaved with emotion]; PASSION refers to a strong or overpowering emotion, connoting especially sexual love or intense anger; SENTIMENT applies to a feeling, often a tender one, accompanied by some thought or reasoning [what are your sentiments in this matter? ]