gesture

/ˈdʒɛstʃər/

/ˈdʒɛstʃə/

Other forms: gestures; gestured; gesturing

The thing to remember about gesture, whether you're using it as a verb or a noun, is that not only is it a movement of the hands or body, but it's also a movement that has some meaning, intention, or emotion behind it.

When you use gesture, you are entering into a whole history of human communication, because there is no language that exists entirely without gesture (a fun fact to bring up at parties). People can't communicate without gesture. It's so connected to intention that there is a phrase "empty gesture," used to mean an action or movement that is without genuine feeling.

Definitions of gesture

1. noun

   motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
   types:

   jab, jabbing, poke, poking, thrust, thrusting

   a sharp hand gesture (resembling a blow)

   mudra

   ritual hand movement in Hindu religious dancing

   type of:

   motility, motion, move, movement

   a change of position that does not entail a change of location
2. noun

   the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
   synonyms: motion

   types:

   sign

   a gesture that is part of a sign language

   gesticulation

   a deliberate and vigorous gesture or motion

   beck

   a beckoning gesture

   facial expression, facial gesture

   a gesture executed with the facial muscles

   flourish

   a showy gesture

   previous question

   a motion calling for an immediate vote on the main question under discussion by a deliberative assembly

   shrug

   a gesture involving the shoulders

   wafture, wave, waving

   the act of signaling by a movement of the hand

   V sign

   a sign (for victory); making a V with the index and middle fingers

   nod

   a sign of assent or salutation or command

   bow, bowing, obeisance

   the act of bending the head, body, or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting

   sign of the cross

   a gesture with the right hand moving to form a cross; used by Catholics as a profession of faith

   curtsey, curtsy

   bending the knees; a gesture of respect made by women

   emoticon

   a representation of a facial expression (as a smile or frown) created by typing a sequence of characters in sending email

   gape

   an expression of openmouthed astonishment

   face, grimace

   a contorted facial expression

   frown, scowl

   a facial expression of dislike or displeasure

   grin, grinning, smile, smiling

   a facial expression characterized by turning up the corners of the mouth; usually shows pleasure or amusement

   laugh

   a facial expression characteristic of a person laughing

   snarl

   an angry vicious expression

   straight face

   a serious facial expression giving no evidence of interest or amusement

   wink

   closing one eye quickly as a signal

   wince

   the facial expression of sudden pain

   brandish, flourish

   the act of waving

   genuflection, genuflexion

   the act of bending the knees in worship or reverence

   kotow, kowtow

   a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission

   scrape, scraping

   a deep bow with the foot drawn backwards (indicating excessive humility)

   salaam

   a deep bow; a Muslim form of salutation

   type of:

   visual communication

   communication that relies on vision
3. noun

   something done as an indication of intention
   “a political gesture”

   “a gesture of defiance”

   types:

   beau geste

   a gracious (but usually meaningless) gesture

   type of:

   indicant, indication

   something that serves to indicate or suggest
4. verb

   show, express, or direct through movement
   “He gestured his desire to leave”

   synonyms: gesticulate, motion

   types:

   wink

   signal by winking

   exsert, extend, hold out, put out, stretch forth, stretch out

   thrust or extend out

   shrug

   raise one's shoulders to indicate indifference or resignation

   clap, spat

   clap one's hands together

   acclaim, applaud, clap, spat

   clap one's hands or shout after performances to indicate approval

   bless, sign

   make the sign of the cross over someone in order to call on God for protection; consecrate

   nod

   express or signify by nodding

   cross oneself

   make the sign of the cross; in the Catholic religion

   bow, bow down

   bend one's knee or body, or lower one's head

   shake

   shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state

   beckon, wave

   signal with the hands or nod

   hyperextend

   extend a joint beyond its normal range

   bravo

   applaud with shouts of `bravo' or 'brava'

   conge, congee

   perform a ceremonious bow

   type of:

   communicate, intercommunicate

   transmit thoughts or feelings