English Explanatory Dictionary

gesture

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.
  2. An act or a remark that serves as a formality or as a sign of attitude.
  3. A motion made with a pointing device, or on a touchscreen, that is recognised by the system as a command.
  4. The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
verb
  1. To make a gesture or gestures.
  2. To express (something) by a gesture or gestures.
  3. To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.
  4. To express or signal (to someone) by a gesture or gestures (to do something, go somewhere, etc).

Pronunciation

/ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃə/ /ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃɚ/ /ˈd͡ʒɛs.t͡ʃɝ/ en-us-gesture.ogg

Word forms

gesture gestures gesturing gestured

Etymology

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.

Synonyms

gesticulate gesture

Derived words

countergesture gesticulate gesticulation gesticulative gestural gestureless gesturelike gesturement gesture politics gesturer intergesture intragesture microgesture midgesture quiet coyote gesture quiet fox gesture rhythmic gesture silent fox gesture misgesture gesturable gesturingly overgesture ungesturing
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