gesture - Definition | Dictionary definition of gesture

Definition of gesture

Nouns

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

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

Synonyms:: motion

Types:: show 29 types...; hide 29 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; 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; flourish
a showy gesture; high-five
a gesture of greeting or elation; one person's upraised palm slaps the upraised palm of another person; 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; brandish, flourish
the act of waving; 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
bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting; 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; 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

Type of:: visual communication
communication that relies on vision

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

Verbs

show, express or direct through movement

"He gestured his desire to leave"

Synonyms:: gesticulate, motion

Types:: show 14 types...; hide 14 types...; wink
signal by winking; exsert, extend, hold out, put out, stretch forth, stretch out
thrust or extend out; hyperextend
extend a joint beyond its normal range; 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; bravo
applaud with shouts of `bravo' or `brava'; 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; conge, congee
perform a ceremonious bow; shake
shake (a body part) to communicate a greeting, feeling, or cognitive state; beckon, wave
signal with the hands or nod

Type of:: communicate, intercommunicate
transmit thoughts or feelings

Vocabulary Lists for gesture

allusion
annunciation
atmosphere
beseech
brassiere

newspeak
prole
Big Brother
labour camp
doublethink

gateleg table
labour camp
Eurasia
prole
newspeak

premeditate
symbolising
abase
discern
endue

embroider
imbue
ignominy
decapitate
scaffold

estranged
scaffold
gesticulate
pillory
stigma

hierarchical
niggle
expropriate
saccharine
alterable

sand dollar
petty bourgeoisie
petit bourgeois
peckerwood
Yoruba

grumble
gulp
gab
gossip
grimace

Hale
German ivy
matt
sleigh
flats

Words that contain gesture

facial gesture