gesture
[jes-cher]
- 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.
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- to make or use a gesture or gestures.
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- 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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for gestured
Contemporary Examples
When we nodded, she broke into a wide grin, gestured with two thumbs up, and finished off with a high-five.
Going Back to Vietnam Is Sometimes Amusing, Often Fraught, and Always SurrealJeff Greenfield
March 9, 2014
And he gestured toward ideas—straightforward cash payments and an end to means-testing—that would sit well with liberals.
Paul Ryan’s Proposed War on Poverty Is Hobbled by Conservative IdeologyJamelle Bouie
January 14, 2014
He gestured for everyone to look down into a little vale that opened up to the side of their path.
Sulaiman gestured with his freed hands to the lawyers seated on either side of him.
He gestured and called for them to ignore him and go into the temple, where more people likely needed help.
Historical Examples
I was at a loss, until he gestured toward the room of the Honourable George.
Ruggles of Red GapHarry Leon Wilson
She gestured at the sullen Franklin who was sitting on the couch.
The World BeyondRaymond King Cummings
"By God, if he should try that—to equate her from Logical into reject—" He gestured helplessly.
We're Friends, NowHenry Hasse
For answer the Eurasian gestured apologetically to his guards.
The Affair of the BrainsAnthony Gilmore
He gestured and waved, and, to Foster, the sign language was plain.
gesture
- 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
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- to express by or make gestures; gesticulate
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Word Origin
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
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Word Origin and History for gestured
gesture
v.
1540s, from gesture (n.). Related: Gestured; gesturing.
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gesture
n.
early 15c., "manner of carrying the body," from Medieval Latin gestura "bearing, behavior," from Latin gestus "gesture, carriage, posture" (see gest). Restricted sense of "a movement of the body or a part of it" is from 1550s; figurative sense of "action undertaken in good will to express feeling" is from 1916.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper