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Gesture

//ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃɚ// noun, verb

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech. countable, uncountable

    "The middle-finger gesture is really a nonverbal swear."

  2. 2
    motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling wordnet
  3. 3
    An act or a remark that serves as a formality or as a sign of attitude. countable, uncountable

    "We took flowers as a gesture of sympathy."

  4. 4
    something done as an indication of intention wordnet
  5. 5
    A motion made with a pointing device, or on a touchscreen, that is recognised by the system as a command. countable, uncountable

    "This Web browser can be controlled with mouse gestures."

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals wordnet
  2. 7
    The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture. countable, obsolete, uncountable

    "Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a gesture used by very many nations."

Verb
  1. 1
    To make a gesture or gestures. intransitive

    "My dad told me never to gesture with my hands when I talk."

  2. 2
    show, express or direct through movement wordnet
  3. 3
    To express (something) by a gesture or gestures. transitive

    "He gestured his disgust."

  4. 4
    To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action. transitive

    "It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth."

  5. 5
    To express or signal (to someone) by a gesture or gestures (to do something, go somewhere, etc). transitive

    "[…] she sweepingly gestured him to the pillory — a chair upon the platform, facing the school. Here he suffered for the unusual term of an hour, with many jocular and cunning eyes constantly upon him; and, when he was released at noon, horrid shouts […]"

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Medieval Latin gestūra (“a mode of action”), from Latin gerō (“to bear; (reflexive) bear oneself, behave, act”), past participle gestus.

Etymology 2

From Medieval Latin gestūra (“a mode of action”), from Latin gerō (“to bear; (reflexive) bear oneself, behave, act”), past participle gestus.

See also for "gesture"

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