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gesture

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Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryges·ture I \ˈjes-chər, ˈjesh-\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin gestura mode of action, from Latin gestus, past participle of gerere DATE 15th century1. archaic : carriage, bearing2. a movement usually of the body or limbs that expresses or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude3. the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of expression4. something said or done by way of formality or courtesy, as a symbol or token, or for its effect on the attitudes of others a political gesture to draw popular support — V. L. Parrington II verb (ges·tured ; ges·tur·ing) DATE 1542intransitive verb: to make a gesturetransitive verb: to express or direct by a gestureEnglish Etymologygesture c.1410, "manner of carrying the body," from M.L. gestura"bearing, behavior," from L. gestus "gesture, carriage, posture" (see gest). Restricted sense of "a movement of the body or a part of it" is from 1551; fig. sense of "action undertaken in good will to express feeling" is from 1916.Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7gestureges·ture / 5dVestFE(r) / noun1. [C, U] a movement that you make with your hands, your head or your face to show a particular meaning 手势；姿势；示意动作: He made a rude gesture at the driver of the other car. 他向另外那辆汽车的司机做了个粗野的手势。 She finished what she had to say with a gesture of despair. 她用绝望的姿势结束了她不得不讲的话。 They communicated entirely by gesture. 他们完全用手势交流。 2. [C] something that you do or say to show a particular feeling or intention (表明感情或意图的)姿态,表示: They sent some flowers as a gesture of sympathy to the parents of the child. 他们送了一些花表示对孩子父母的同情。 It was a nice gesture (= it was kind) to invite his wife too. 把他的妻子也请来是友好的表示。 We do not accept responsibility but we will refund the money as a gesture of goodwill. 我们不承担责任,不过我们愿意退款以表示我们的善意。 The government has made a gesture towards public opinion (= has tried to do sth that the public will like). 政府已做出顺应民意的姿态。 ⇨ note at actionverb ~ (for / to sb) (to do sth) to move your hands, head, face, etc. as a way of expressing what you mean or want 做手势；用手势表示；用动作示意 ▪ [V , usually +adv. / prep.] 'I see you read a lot,' he said, gesturing at the wall of books. "看来你读了很多书。"他指着那一墙的书说道。 She gestured for them to come in. 她示意让他们进来。 ▪ [V that] He gestured (to me) that it was time to go. 他示意(我)该走了。 They gestured that I should follow. 他们示意让我跟在后面。 ▪ [also VN] Oxford Collocations Dictionary for Students of EnglishOxford Collocations dictionary for students of Englishgesture noun 1 movement that expresses sth ADJ. dramatic, expansive, expressive, extravagant, flamboyant, melodramatic, sweeping, theatrical She made an expansive gesture with her arms. | abrupt | careless, vague He responded with a vague gesture in the direction of the pub. | obscene, rude | angry, defiant, threatening | dismissive, impatient, irritable | helpless | imperious | placatory VERB + GESTURE make The children made rude gestures at them. PREP. by ~ They communicate entirely by gesture. | in a ~ He waved his arms in a melodramatic gesture. | with a ~ She waved us away with an impatient gesture. | ~ of a gesture of despair 2 sth that shows other people what you think/feel ADJ. nice I thought it was a nice gesture to send everyone a card. | bold a bold gesture of reconciliation | dramatic, extravagant, grand He had the respect of his people without the need for grand gestures. | conciliatory, friendly, goodwill | charitable, philanthropic | empty, small, symbolic, token Words and empty gestures are not enough?we demand action! a token gesture of their good intentions | futile | political PREP. as a ~ Several hostages were released as a goodwill gesture. | in a ~ In a dramatic gesture, the prime minister refused to attend the meeting. | ~ against The invasion attempt was intended as a political gesture against his opponents. | ~ of His gift was a gesture of friendship. | ~ towards The president's speech was seen as a conciliatory gesture towards former enemies. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Thesaurus-11th Editionn. Function: noun Synonyms: EXPRESSION 3, indication, reminder, sign, tokenn. Function: verb Synonyms: SIGNAL, flag, motion, sign, signalizeWebster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedges·tureI. \ˈjes(h)chə(r)\ noun(-s)Etymology: Medieval Latin gestura mode of action, from Latin gestus (past participle of gerere to bear, act) + -ura -ure — more at cast1. archaic : the manner of carrying the body : carriage, bearing < the fashion of the countenance and the gesture of the body … is so correspondent to this state of mind — Edmund Burke >2. obsolete : the position or attitude of the body especially in prayer < as for their gesture or position, the men lay down leaning on their left elbow — Sir Thomas Browne >3. : the use of motions of the limbs or body as a means of intentional expression < we deduce motion from gesture — W.E.Allen > < gesture may be deliberate … or even symbolic — Susanne K. Langer >4. : a movment usually of the body or limbs that symbolizes or emphasizes an idea, sentiment, or attitude < she gave a gesture of despair — H.G.Wells > < the ability to find the appropriate gestures to convey the dramatic content of the work — Encounter >— compare gesticulation5. : a notable or expressive action: as a. : something said or done by way of formality or courtesy < the invitation had been a gesture of sympathy toward a keen young officer without friends or relations — R.S.Porteous > b. : something said or done to bring about a desired end (as in diplomacy) < diplomatic authorities brushed aside today the … proposal for an all-European security meeting as an insincere gesture and a propaganda appeal — W.H.Waggoner > < the words were far more than a political gesture to draw popular support — V.L.Parrington > c. : something said or done as a symbol or token < a gesture of royal authority > < many members … deliberately invalidated their ballots as a protest gesture — Current Biography >II. verb(-ed/-ing/-s)intransitive verb: to make gestures : gesticulate < gesturing vaguely with her full hands — Laura Krey >transitive verb1. : to indicate or express by gestures < what way is there of gesturing the cruelly impounded thought — Donald Davidson >2. : to direct by gestures < the policeman gestured him into the fork on the other side — Richard Llewellyn >

Gesture Verb Body To Of A Gesture. Noun