feel·ing / ˈfēling/ • n. 1. an emotional state or reaction: a feeling of joy. ∎  (feelings) the emotional side of someone's character; emotional responses or tendencies to respond: I don't want to hurt her feelings. ∎  strong emotion: “God bless you!” she said with feeling.2. a belief, esp. a vague or irrational one: he had the feeling that he was being watched. ∎  an opinion, typically one shared by several people: a feeling that justice had not been done.3. the capacity to experience the sense of touch: a loss of feeling in the hands. ∎  the sensation of touching or being touched by a particular thing: the feeling of water against your skin.4. (feeling for) a sensitivity to or intuitive understanding of: he seems to have little feeling for art.• adj. showing emotion or sensitivity: he had a warm and feeling heart.

Feeling (of absolute dependence, as foundation of religion): see SCHLEIERMACHER, F.