ges´ture|less

ges|ture «JEHS chuhr», noun, verb, -tured, -tur|ing.

–n.

1. a movement of the hands, arms, or any parts of the body, used instead of words or with words to help express an idea or feeling: »

A speaker often makes gestures with his hands or arms to stress something he is saying.

2. the use of such movements: »

Gesture is the imitation of words (Benjamin Jowett).

3. any action for effect or to impress others: »

Her refusal was merely a gesture; she really wanted to go.

4. Obsolete. the carriage or posture of the body.

–v.i.

to make gestures; use gestures; gesticulate: »

He brought out his tennis racket and gestured before the mirror like a star tennis player (James T. Farrell).

–v.t.

to express by gestures.

╂[< Medieval Latin gestura < Latin gestus, -ūs; see etym. under geste¹ (Cf. ↑geste)]

–ges´ture|less, adjective.

Synonym Study noun. 1 Gesture, gesticulation mean movement of the head, shoulders, hands, or arms to express thought or feeling. Gesture applies to any such movement used to take the place of words or add to their meaning: »

He did not speak, but with a gesture told me to follow him.

Gesticulation applies to wild, excited, or clumsy gesture: »

His gesticulations suggested he was losing his temper rapidly.