I. ˈfē-liŋ 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
II. adjective
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : sentient , sensitive
b. : easily moved emotionally
2. obsolete : deeply felt
3. : expressing emotion or sensitivity
• feel·ing·ly -liŋ-lē adverb
• feel·ing·ness noun