Yet another search from my writing friend:

is there a name for using your hand to show something off by indicating it.

for example at the circus, the circus master will hold his hand out towards the lion tamer.  this is a cue for the lion tamer to bow, and the audience to clap.

what’s that gesture called?

You’ve already used the two best options in your description: cue and gesture.

You could also use beckon as the verb, but beckoning is an awkward verbal noun. Signal is also a possibility. 

Here’s what yDc’s Thesaurus has to offer:

Entry Word: gesture
Function: n
Text: Synonyms EXPRESSION 3, indication, reminder, sign, token

Entry Word: gesture
Function: vb
Text: Synonyms SIGNAL, flag, motion, sign, signalize

Add in the verb form indicate.

I’m going to tell my friend to register and engage in these dialogues herslf.  This is too hard.  

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I’m going to tell my friend to register and engage in these dialogues herslf.  This is too hard.  

Finally!  How else do you think we increase our numbers? :D

Finally!  How else do you think we increase our numbers? :D

I’m not sure, but I do know there has been a lot of boffing, bonking and knocking up going on in another thread…   ::)

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boffing, bonking and knocking up going on ...

... and right across the globe too. 

In the end, my friend chose flourish.  It sort of came from the Agora, as I recalled Grant using it regarding the word touche.  Now, if only she didn’t abhor registering…

Hey, tell her she gets a Gold Star just for registering!  Has she at least stopped in to browse?

Unfortunately, she was a precocious child in the hands of proud parents.  Now she shudders at any intimation that she should exhibit a large vocabulary; it’s like an an adolescent rebellion that lingered into adulthood.   I suggested she could just pop into the "what’s the word" section, though.  

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. . .  Now she shudders at any intimation that she should exhibit a large vocabulary; it’s like an an adolescent rebellion that lingered into adulthood.   I suggested she could just pop into the "what’s the word" section, though.  

But explain to her that one doesn’t NEED to exhibit a large vocabulary to enjoy the Agora.  Just look at me!  Large stomach, yes, but that’s not a requirement, either.   :D

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Large stomach . . .

I presume you’re referring to your Molson goitre.

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Yet another search from my writing friend:

is there a name for using your hand to show something off by indicating it.

for example at the circus, the circus master will hold his hand out towards the lion tamer.  this is a cue for the lion tamer to bow, and the audience to clap.

what’s that gesture called?

I’ve always called it the "Price-Is-Right-Flip" after the move that the models perform when displaying a new refrigerator on the famous game show.

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Yet another search from my writing friend:

is there a name for using your hand to show something off by indicating it.

for example at the circus, the circus master will hold his hand out towards the lion tamer.  this is a cue for the lion tamer to bow, and the audience to clap.

what’s that gesture called?

Maybe a wave of the hand?  After all, you can dismiss someone with a wave of the hand, which is a different wave from the one you use when you wave "Hi!" or "Bye!" to someone.

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I’ve always called it the "Price-Is-Right-Flip"…

There’s also the "Vanna", after the other famous gameshow… ;D