Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
gesture - 6 dictionary results

ges⋅ture

  [jes-cher] noun, verb, -tured, -tur⋅ing.
Use gesture in a Sentence
–noun
1. a movement or position of the hand, arm, body, head, or face that is expressive of an idea, opinion, emotion, etc.: the gestures of an orator; a threatening gesture.
2. the use of such movements to express thought, emotion, etc.
3. any action, courtesy, communication, etc., intended for effect or as a formality; considered expression; demonstration: a gesture of friendship.
–verb (used without object)
4. to make or use a gesture or gestures.
–verb (used with object)
5. to express by a gesture or gestures.
Origin:
1375–1425; late ME < ML gestūra mode of action, manner, bearing, equiv. to L gest(us) ptp. of gerere to bear, carry on, perform + ūra -ure

Related forms:
ges⋅tur⋅al, adjective
ges⋅tur⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gesture
ges·ture   (jěs'chər)   
n.  
  1. A motion of the limbs or body made to express or help express thought or to emphasize speech.
  2. The act of moving the limbs or body as an expression of thought or emphasis.
  3. An act or a remark made as a formality or as a sign of intention or attitude: sent flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
v.   ges·tured, ges·tur·ing, ges·tures

v.   intr.
To make gestures.
v.   tr.
To show, express, or direct by gestures.

[Middle English, from Medieval Latin gestūra, bearing, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere, to behave.]
ges'tur·al adj., ges'tur·al·ly adv., ges'tur·er n.
Synonyms: These nouns denote an expressive, meaningful bodily motion: a gesture of approval; frantic gesticulations to get help; made a sign for silence; gave the signal to advance.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Gesture

Ges"ture\, n. [LL. gestura mode of action, fr. L. gerere, gestum, to bear, behave, perform, act. See Gest a deed.]

1. Manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture. [Obs.]

Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a gesture used by many nations. --Sir T. Browne.

2. A motion of the body or limbs expressive of sentiment or passion; any action or posture intended to express an idea or a passion, or to enforce or emphasize an argument, assertion, or opinion.

Humble and reverent gestures. --Hooker.

Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love. --Milton.

Gesture

Ges"ture\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gestured; p. pr. & vb. n. Gesturing.] To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action; to gesticulate.

It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth. --Hooker.

Gesture

Ges"ture\, v. i. To make gestures; to gesticulate.

The players . . . gestured not undecently withal. --Holland.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : gesture
Spanish: gesto,
German: die Gebärde,
Japanese: 身ぶり
More Translations »

gesture 
c.1410, "manner of carrying the body," from M.L. gestura "bearing, behavior," from L. gestus "gesture, carriage, posture" (see gest). Restricted sense of "a movement of the body or a part of it" is from 1551; fig. sense of "action undertaken in good will to express feeling" is from 1916.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see gesture on Thesaurus | Reference