gesture

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English[edit]

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology[edit]

From Medieval Latin gestūra (a mode of action), from Latin gerō (to bear; (reflexive) bear oneself, behave, act), past participle gestus.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

gesture (plural gestures)

  1. A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.
    The middle-finger gesture is really a nonverbal swear.
  2. An act or a remark that serves as a formality or as a sign of attitude.
    We took flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
    • 1922, Michael Arlen, “2/4/1”, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days[1]:
      But, with a gesture, she put a period to this dalliance—one shouldn't palter so on an empty stomach, she might almost have said.
  3. (graphical user interface) A motion made with a pointing device, or on a touchscreen, that is recognised by the system as a command.
    This Web browser can be controlled with mouse gestures.
  4. (obsolete) The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Verb[edit]

gesture (third-person singular simple present gestures, present participle gesturing, simple past and past participle gestured)

  1. (intransitive) 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. (transitive) To express something by a gesture or gestures.
    He gestured his disgust.
  3. (transitive) To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.

Synonyms[edit]

Hyponyms[edit]

  • ((intransitive) make a gesture): beckon

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

Alemannic German[edit]

Adjective[edit]

gesture

  1. Alternative form of gesturm

Latin[edit]

Participle[edit]

gestūre

  1. vocative masculine singular of gestūrus