hand signal

American  

[hand sig-nl] / ˈhænd ˌsɪg nl /

noun

1. any gesture, usually prearranged, made with the hand in order to convey a message.

   They communicated only with hand signals in order to maintain complete silence as they stalked the enemy.

   There are many ways of indicating whose turn it is to speak, including the use of a hand signal by the leader, or a feather passed around the group.

2. a conventional sign or motion made with the hand or arm, especially one of a set of such motions used by cyclists and drivers to indicate they are stopping, slowing, or turning left or right.

   Using the correct hand signal will help other cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians know what you will be doing next.

   If your vehicle’s turn signals are not working, use hand signals.

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Etymology

Origin of hand signal

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

Instead teachers are being fed waffle about eye-contact, hand signals and merits.

From BBC

They stopped talking and used hand signals to communicate.

From Literature

In the future, the team says a version of this e-glove could help scuba divers communicate with visual hand signals even when they cannot clearly see their dive partners.

From Science Daily

Guardiola responded with half a dozen exaggerated 'calm down' hand signals waved in the general direction of the supporters directly above him.

From BBC

Cooper regularly used hand signals with the sound mixer and camera operator.

From Los Angeles Times