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gesture

[ jes-cher ]
/ ˈdʒɛs tʃər /
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See synonyms for: gesture / gestured / gestures / gesturing on Thesaurus.com

noun
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.
the use of such movements to express thought, emotion, etc.
any action, courtesy, communication, etc., intended for effect or as a formality; considered expression; demonstration: a gesture of friendship.
Digital Technology. a particular movement of the body, typically the fingers or hand, used to control or interact with a digital device (often used attributively): a gesture command;Use a two-finger pinching gesture on your touchscreen to zoom in or out.
verb (used without object), ges·tured, ges·tur·ing.
to make or use a gesture or gestures.
verb (used with object), ges·tured, ges·tur·ing.
to express by a gesture or gestures.
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Origin of gesture

1375–1425; late Middle English <Medieval Latin gestūra mode of action, manner, bearing, equivalent to Latin gest(us) past participle of gerere to bear, carry on, perform + ūra-ure

OTHER WORDS FROM gesture

ges·tur·al, adjectiveges·tur·er, nounun·ges·tur·al, adjectiveun·ges·tur·ing, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gesture in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gesture

gesture
/ (ˈdʒɛstʃə) /

noun
a motion of the hands, head, or body to emphasize an idea or emotion, esp while speaking
something said or done as a formality or as an indication of intentiona political gesture
obsolete the manner in which a person bears himself; posture
verb
to express by or make gestures; gesticulate

Derived forms of gesture

gestural, adjectivegesturer, noun

Word Origin for gesture

C15: from Medieval Latin gestūra bearing, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere to bear
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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