n.
Pronunciation: ' f ē -li ŋ
Function: noun
Date: 12th century
1 a (1) : the one of the basic physical senses of which the skin contains the chief end organs and of which the sensations of touch and temperature are characteristic : TOUCH (2) : a sensation experienced through this sense b : generalized bodily consciousness or sensation c : appreciative or responsive awareness or recognition
2 a : an emotional state or reaction <a kindly feeling toward the boy> b plural : susceptibility to impression : SENSITIVITY <the remark hurt her feeling s >
3 a : the undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered apart from any identifiable sensation, perception, or thought b : the overall quality of one's awareness c : conscious recognition : SENSE
4 a : often unreasoned opinion or belief : SENTIMENT b : PRESENTIMENT
5 : capacity to respond emotionally especially with the higher emotions
6 : the character ascribed to something : ATMOSPHERE
7 a : the quality of a work of art that conveys the emotion of the artist b : sympathetic aesthetic response
8 : FEEL 4
synonyms FEELING , EMOTION , AFFECTION , SENTIMENT , PASSION mean a subjective response to a person, thing, or situation. FEELING denotes any partly mental, partly physical response marked by pleasure, pain, attraction, or repulsion; it may suggest the mere existence of a response but imply nothing about the nature or intensity of it <the feelings that once moved me are gone>. EMOTION carries a strong implication of excitement or agitation but, like FEELING encompasses both positive and negative responses <the drama portrays the emotions of adolescence>. AFFECTION applies to feelings that are also inclinations or likings <a memoir of childhood filled with affection for her family>. SENTIMENT often implies an emotion inspired by an idea <her feminist sentiments are well known>. PASSION suggests a very powerful or controlling emotion <revenge became his ruling passion >.