gesture
The definition of a gesture is an expressive movement of the body, or something that is said or done to show a feeling.
(noun)- An example of a gesture is a wave.
- A card for someone who is very sick is an example of a gesture.
Gesture is defined as moving your body in a way that conveys a feeling or emotion.
(verb)To salute is an example of a gesture to show respect.
See gesture in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun
- a movement, or movements collectively, of the body, or of part of the body, to express or emphasize ideas, emotions, etc.
- anything said or done to convey a state of mind, intention, etc.; often, something said or done merely for effect or as a formality: a gesture of sympathy
Origin: ME < ML gestura, mode of action < L gestus, pp. of gerere, to bear, carry
transitive verb
See gesture in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A motion of the limbs or body made to express or help express thought or to emphasize speech.
- The act of moving the limbs or body as an expression of thought or emphasis.
- An act or a remark made as a formality or as a sign of intention or attitude: sent flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
Origin:
Origin: Middle English
Origin: , from Medieval Latin gestūra, bearing
Origin: , from Latin gestus
Origin: , past participle of gerere, to behave
.Related Forms:
- gesˈtur·al adjective
- gesˈtur·al·ly adverb
- gesˈtur·er noun
See gesture in Ologies
Gesture
chironomy, cheironomy
1. the science of gesture.
2. the art of conducting singers of Gregorian chant through hand gestures to mark the rise or fall of the melody. —chironomic, cheironomic, adj.
the science of manual sign language, as for use in communicating with the deaf. —dactylotogist, n. —dactylologic, dactylological, adj.
kinemics
Linguistics. the study of units of gestural expression.
Linguistics. a systematic study of nonverbal body gestures, as smiles, hand motions, or other movements, in their relation to human communication; body language. Also called pasimology. —kinesic, adj.
pasimology
kinesics.
pathognomy
the study of the signs that reveal human passions. —pathognomonic, adj.
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