noun
antenna
A sensory feeler on an insect, crustacean, or similar animal.
The beetle moves its antennae across the leaf.
Etymology
The Latin word names a spar supporting a sail. The slender, projecting shape supplied a name for an animal’s feeler, which extends from the head to sense its surroundings.
More examples
- One antenna touched the obstacle.
- The shrimp's antennae extended forward.
- The scientist examined the damaged antenna.
Forms
antenna · antennae
Similar words
- feeler
- The everyday word for an animal's sensory appendage.
- tentacle
- Can grasp or feed as well as sense.