Word of the Day

Friday, January 28, 2000

gesticulate

\juh-STIK-yuh-layt\ , intransitive verb;

To make gestures or motions, especially while speaking or instead of speaking.

transitive verb:

To indicate or express by gestures.

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Quotes:

In between clearing flooded masks or removing our air supplies, we would gesticulate wildly to point out the giant barracuda hovering nearby, its ugly jaws snapping.

-- Gwyn Topham, "Deep space", The Guardian, November 2, 2002

In conversation, Ferry is friendly and animated, frequently rising to his feet to pace and gesticulate as he talks.

-- Barbara Ellen, "The life of Bryan", The Observer, May 13, 2001

South Africa's attack allowed a miserly two runs per over yesterday, apart from Makhaya Ntini who went for 4 and caused the wicketkeeper Boucher to gesticulate his disapproval.

-- David Hopps, "England's luck changes with order of the boot for Smith", The Guardian, August 16, 2003

Origin:

Gesticulate is from Latin gesticulatus, past participle of gesticulari, "to gesticulate," from gesticulus, diminutive of gestus, "gesture, action."