gesture
verbEtymology From Medieval Latin gestūra (“a mode of action”), from Latin gerō (“to bear; (reflexive) bear oneself, behave, act”), past participle gestus. By surface analysis, Latin gest- + -ure.
1
To make a gesture or gestures.
- My dad told me never to gesture with my hands when I talk.
- Never gesture at someone using your middle finger: it may be perceived as an insult.
2
To express (something) by a gesture or gestures.
- He gestured his disgust.
3
To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.
- It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth.[1594], Richard Hooker, edited by J[ohn] S[penser], Of the Lawes of Ecclesiastical Politie, […], London: […] Iohn Windet, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page):
4
To express or signal (to someone) by a gesture or gestures (to do something, go somewhere, etc).
- […] 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 […]1915, Booth Tarkington, “Wednesday Madness”, in The Cosmopolitan, page 61:
- “Then what can you do?” she snapped. “I was told you were the best. Was that an idle boast?” He sighed and gestured her to sit down. “My lady, I—” “Countess,” she said sharply.2010 November 1, Elizabeth Chadwick, Elizabeth Chadwick Bundle: The Greatest Knight, The Scarlet Lion, and For the King's Favor, Sourcebooks, Inc., →ISBN:
1 more example
- Lorna gestured him to wait and handed the digital camera back to her. […] The guard gestured her to follow him. He seemed harmless without any guile as he stood facing her, waiting for her. She nodded and gestured, telling him to lead the way.2021 May 1, Bruce Allsman, The Museum Curator, Bruce Yeoh:
- Derived terms
- gesturable, gesturingly, misgesture, overgesture, ungesturing