[an.ten.na] n, pl -nae or -nas [ML, fr. L, sail yard] (1646) 1 pl -nae : one of a pair of slender movable segmented sensory organs on the head of insects, myriapods, and crustaceans--see insect illustration
2: a usu. metallic device (as a rod or wire) for radiating or receiving radio waves 3 antennae pl: a special sensitivity or receptiveness "his political antennae proved to be shrewder than ever --Erich Segal" -- an.ten.nal adj