gesticulation
noun/dʒɛˌstɪkjəˈleɪʃən/
Etymology From Middle English gesticulation, from Latin gesticulatio.
1
The act of gesticulating, or making gestures to aid expression of thoughts, sentiments or passion.
2
A gesture; a motion of the body or limbs when speaking, or in representing action or passion, and enforcing arguments and sentiments.
- In the eagerness of his gesticulations, first he knocked off my hat, then he knocked off Lessingham’s, then his own, then all three together […]1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:
- It is commonly supposed that they communicated by sounds and tentacular gesticulations; this is asserted, for instance, in the able but hastily compiled pamphlet (written evidently by someone not an eye-witness of Martian actions) to which I have already alluded, and which, so far, has been the chief source of information concerning them.1898, H.G. Wells, The War of the Worlds, London: William Heinemann:
1 more example
- The breeze had died away and the tree was now quite motionless save when William's statements required forcible gesticulations, which made it sway in a gentle nodding manner as though it were confirming every word the old sage uttered.1929, Robert Dean Frisbee, The Book of Puka-Puka, Eland, published 2019, page 193:
3
Dated An odd or fanciful motion.
- I indulged in this meditation for a moment, and then again addressed the mourner, who stood leaning against the bed with that expression of resigned despair, of complete misery, and a patient sufferance of it, which is far more touching than any of the insane ravings or wild gesticulation of untamed sorrow.1826, [Mary Shelley], chapter IV, in The Last Man. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 115:
- Related terms
- gesticulate, gesticulative, gesticulatory, gesture, gestural