Antennae definitions and example sentences on Wordnik

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Definitions (14)

American Heritage Dictionary (3)

noun Zoology One of the paired, flexible, segmented sensory appendages on the head of an insect, myriapod, or crustacean functioning primarily as an organ of touch.
noun Something likened to this sensory appendage, as in function or form: sensitive public relations antennae.
noun A metallic apparatus for sending or receiving electromagnetic waves.

Century Dictionary (7)

One of the lateral articulated appendages occurring in pairs on that segment of the head of an arthropod animal, as an insect, which immediately precedes the mouth or mandibular segment; a feeler or ‘horn.’ They vary greatly in size, shape, and function. The appendages of the head, proceeding forward from the mouth-parts, are: (1) antennæ, (2) antennulæ, (3) ophthalmites or eye-stalks. plural In Crustacea: (1) Properly, the posterior one of the two pairs of feelers or horns borne upon the head of most crustaceans, as crabs and lobsters, as distinguished from the anterior pair, or antennulæ. From their relative size they are known as the long feelers, in distinction from the antennulæ, or short feelers. When fully developed, the antennæ consist of a number of parts, which, beginning with the base, are named the basicerite, the scaphocerite, the ischiocerite, the merocerite, the carpocerite, and the (terminal) procerite. The last may consist of a long filament with many articulations, sometimes exceeding the whole length of the animal's body. See cuts under Cypris, Cythereidæ, and Limnetis. (2) Loosely, either one of the two pairs of horns or feelers, that is, either the antennæ proper or the antennulæ. In Arachnida, or spiders, scorpions, etc., a chelicere; one of the pair of chelate or subchelate appendages of the head, situated between and morphologically in front of the large hooked or pincer-like appendages known as pedipalps. They are adapted for seizing and tearing, and sometimes convey a poisonduct. They are homologous with the feelers of crustaceans and insects, and are supposed, in some cases at least, to represent antennulæ as well as antennæ proper. See cuts under chelicera and scorpion. In Insecta and Myriapoda, a horn or feeler; one of the pair of jointed flexible sensitive appendages of the head, morphologically situated between the mouth-parts and the eyes, though generally appearing in the adult between or before the eyes. These characteristic organs are usually filamentous with many articulations, and are very diverse in form; some of the terms used in describing their shapes are filiform, denticulate, bipinnate, clavate, geniculate. In Coleoptera, divisions have been founded upon the shapes of the antennæ, as lamellicorn, clavicorn, longicorn, etc. These organs are almost universally present in some form or other, though occasionally rudimentary and inconspicuous, in which cases the insects are termed acerous, as distinguished from dicerous. The parts of a well-formed antenna usually recognized are the pedicel, scape, and flagellum or claveola, the last usually composing most of the length of the organ. See Hymenoptera, Insecta.
An analogous organ on the heads of other animals, as a feeler or tentacle, like the eye-stalk of a snail.
plural Projecting horns of iron or bronze found on some ancient helmets, perhaps serving only as ornaments, or as badges, or in some cases to stop a blow from glancing downward and striking the shoulder.

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The television only had two channels--one scrolled vertically no matter how the antennae was adjusted and the other showed nothing but indistinct flickering shapes moving around the snowy picture tube--and Russell hadn't brought any suitable reading material for the boy, just some lab notes and a few texts full of small print but lacking in interesting photos. — FSF - March2006
I've walked the CAM beat for more than three decades, and my antennae are always sniffing for data true and false. — CAMLAW : Complementary And Alternative Medicine Law Blog
High Priest consists of a slab of concrete resembling a giant gastropod, its jutting head flanked by rebar "antennae" - the whole form topped with a chaotic field of alligator claws. — artforum.com
Something plain comes across the front page and you're worried that perhaps your antennae aren't working like they used to. opportunity costs. — Conservapedia - Recent changes [en]
He has created a guide for the process for his dispatchers to follow until the antennae is adjusted.

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