Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Gesture

Ges′ture

,
Noun.
[LL.
gestura
mode of action, fr. L.
gerere
,
gestum
, to bear, behave, perform, act. See
Gest
a deed.]
1.
Manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
[Obs.]
Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a
gesture
used by many nations.
Sir T. Browne.
2.
A motion of the body or limbs expressive of sentiment or passion; any action or posture intended to express an idea or a passion, or to enforce or emphasize an argument, assertion, or opinion.
Humble and reverent
gestures
.
Hooker.
Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye,
In every
gesture
dignity and love.
Milton.

Ges′ture

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Gestured
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Gesturing
.]
To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action; to gesticulate.
It is not orderly read, nor
gestured
as beseemeth.
Hooker.

Ges′ture

,
Verb.
I.
To make gestures; to gesticulate.
The players . . .
gestured
not undecently withal.
Holland.

Webster 1828 Edition


Gesture

GES'TURE

,
Noun.
[L. gestus, from gero, to bear, to do.]
1.
A motion of the body or limbs, expressive of sentiment or passion; any action or posture intended to express an idea or a passion, or to enforce an argument or opinion. It consists chiefly in the actions or movements of the hands and face, and should be suited to the subject.
2.
Movement of the body or limbs.
Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye,
In every gesture dignity and love.

GES'TURE

,
Verb.
T.
To accompany with gesture or action.

Definition 2024


gesture

gesture

English

Noun

gesture (plural gestures)

  1. A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.
    The middle-finger gesture is really a nonverbal swear.
    This Web browser can be controlled with mouse gestures.
    • Milton
      Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, / In every gesture dignity and love.
  2. An act or a remark made as a formality or as a sign of attitude.
    We took flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
    • 1922, Michael Arlen, chapter 2/4/1, in “Piracy”: A Romantic Chronicle of These Days:
      But, with a gesture, she put a period to this dalliance—one shouldn't palter so on an empty stomach, she might almost have said.
  3. (obsolete) The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
    • Sir Thomas Browne
      Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a gesture used by many nations.

Related terms

Translations

Verb

gesture (third-person singular simple present gestures, present participle gesturing, simple past and past participle gestured)

  1. (intransitive) To make a gesture or gestures.
    My dad said to never gesture with my hands when I talk.
    Never gesture at someone with a middle finger.
  2. (transitive) To express something by a gesture or gestures.
    He gestured his disgust.
  3. (transitive) To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.
    • Hooker
      It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth.

Synonyms

Hyponyms

  • ((intransitive) make a gesture): beckon

Translations

See also

  • Appendix:Gestures

Latin

Participle

gestūre

  1. vocative masculine singular of gestūrus