gesture1 noungesture2 verb
gestureges‧ture1 /ˈdʒestʃə $ -ər/ ●●○ noun 
WORD ORIGINgesture1
Origin:
1400-1500 Medieval Latin gestura, from Latin gestus ‘action, gesture’, from gerere ‘to bear’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Someone in another car started making gestures and pointing at our tires.
- The fight started when one of the fans made a rude gesture at a player.
- The flowers were really a nice gesture.
- Her gestures were emphatic but, from a distance, did not appear threatening or abusive.
- Instead, he patted the man's arm once in a gesture of thanks.
- It was one of their gestures, he supposed.
- Mrs Bay was speaking loudly, flailing her arms in wild gestures.
- The visit was a goodwill gesture to Raychem, which employs 1,300 people at its sites in Dorcan and Cheney Manor.
- These relatively complex communicative demands establish the conditions in which simple gestures, such as pointing, are particularly useful.
- Words take second place to nonverbal cues, personal mannerisms, gestures, expressions, and overall appearance.
THESAURUS
noun [countable] something that someone does: · He is responsible for his own actions.· They refused to give a reason for their actions.
noun [countable] a particular type of action: · violent actsact of violence/kindness/defiance etc: · I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim: · leisure activities· political activities· Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave: · Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour?· The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something: · Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move.· It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate.· He needed time to figure out his next move.
noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed: · The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project.· We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again.· This is an important step towards peace.
noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem: · There are increased security measures at airports.· The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something: · Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers?gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance: · The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad: · evil deeds· heroic deeds· This is my good deed for the day.
noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions: · daring exploits· His exploits were legendary.
noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it: · Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old.· The bridge is a great feat of engineering.·
Longman Language Activatora movement or sound that you make to tell someone something a movement that you make in order to tell someone something: · He raised his hand in a sign of greeting.sign (that): · Mardas threw his hands in the air - a sign to his supporters that victory was theirs.sign for somebody to do something: · When the teacher puts her finger to her lips, it's a sign for you all to be quiet.
a sound or movement that you make in order to tell someone to do something: give a signal: · Don't start yet - wait until I give the signal.signal to do something: · The soldiers were waiting for the signal to start firing.signal for somebody to do something: · When I nod my head, that's the signal for you to start playing the music.hand signals: · Stock brokers use roughly 300 hand signals on the trading floor.
a movement of your hands, arms, or head that shows how you feel, especially when you are very worried or angry: gesture of: · Jim raised his hands in a gesture of despair.make a gesture: · Someone in another car started making gestures and pointing at our tires.make a rude gesture: · The fight started when one of the fans made a rude gesture at a player.
a slight downward movement you make with your head to say 'yes' to something or to say that something can begin: · I asked if he was hungry, and he responded with a nod.give (somebody) a nod: · Daniels gave a slight nod, and Bill started to speak.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 1adjectives
Perhaps you should adopt a more conciliatory approach. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture. She flung her arms out in an expansive gesture. He lifted his arms in a flamboyant gesture. A ceasefire was declared as a sign of good faith. A fund was set up as a goodwill gesture to survivors and their families. Bradford made an obscene gesture.
· Luke made a rude gesture with his finger.
(=extremely rude)· The player was fined for making an obscene gesture at the referee.
· One of the men made a threatening gesture, and I ran.
verbs· He made a gesture of annoyance.
Meaning 2adjectives· It would be a nice gesture if we gave them something to say 'thank you'.
· He had made a very generous gesture to the school.
· Ella bought him a drink as a friendly gesture.
(=something you do to make people notice you)· Love is not about grand gestures and expensive gifts.
· In politics, dramatic gestures are sometimes necessary.
(=something you do that shows you are not scared of taking risks)· Appointing one of his opponents to the government was seen as a bold gesture of reconciliation.
(=something you do that shows people how you feel)· In a symbolic gesture, he renounced his $10,000 monthly presidential salary.
(=something you do that does not achieve anything important)· The president's attempt at negotiation was an empty gesture which failed to satisfy his critics.
(=something you do so that you can pretend that you are dealing with a problem)· The inclusion of just one woman on the committee was seen as a token gesture.
(=something you do to stop someone from arguing with you)· The government made several conciliatory gestures to the protestors.
phrases (=something you do to show you want to be helpful)· As a gesture of goodwill, customers will be offered a full refund.
· He invited the two men to his house as a gesture of friendship.
· She wrote a letter to the prime minister as a gesture of support.
(=something you do to show loyalty and support)· People sent food parcels to the strikers as a gesture of solidarity.
(=something done to show that you will not do what someone tells you to do)· The rebels launched an attack as a gesture of defiance.
(=do something to show that you have some respect for someone or something)· The drinks industry has made a gesture towards reducing alcohol misuse by setting up a research group.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Perhaps you should adopt a more conciliatory approach. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture. She flung her arms out in an expansive gesture. He lifted his arms in a flamboyant gesture. (=an action which shows that someone is a friend)· He invited us to his house as a gesture of friendship.
A ceasefire was declared as a sign of good faith. A fund was set up as a goodwill gesture to survivors and their families. (=a movement of your hand to show what you mean)· He made a rude hand gesture at the other driver.
Bradford made an obscene gesture.· They fired arrows out to sea in a symbolic gesture of defiance.
· He put his finger to his lips in a warning gesture.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· But even that conciliatory gesture never really convinced me that Don Bradman's signature could make up for that of Jack Hobbs.· A conciliatory gesture, some argued, would appease the cardinal and Holy Trinity would live to fight another day.· As a conciliatory gesture, the restaurant was built like a large shack, so as not to be too obtrusive.· Republicans, in a conciliatory gesture, agreed to let the Democrats chair committees during the period.· Pressure on the Shiite community was to continue, despite well-publicized conciliatory gestures.· In 1955, the year of the Geneva summit conference, there were conciliatory gestures towards nuclear disarmament on both sides.· But the conciliatory gesture itself was significant after the partisan exchanges this summer over policy on asylum and crime.
· A dismissive gesture but to Ruth one he didn't relish doing very much.· The teacher asks the questions; the pupil supplies the answer; the teacher makes a confirming or dismissive comment or gesture.
· In a dramatic gesture, Diana pulled out of attending after the split was announced.· The singular initiative of the B.. Dalton chain is a dramatic and important gesture.· He knew, says Menotti a little wryly, that it was time for a dramatic gesture.· It seemed -the least he could do - to deny himself the dramatic gesture, to humiliate himself.
· I tried to make choices, but wound up with empty gestures.· Words and empty gestures are not enough!· It was an empty gesture - she knew he wouldn't stay there.
· Theirs was not a relationship of expansive gestures like that.
· It was a generous gesture to try to ease the tension and relax a fellow professional.· It was a generous gesture on his part.· We thank him sincerely for his generous gesture in allowing this debate to take place.· Only the weather was ominous - the usual generous gestures of support received from congregation and friends were heartwarming.· No man knew better than he the value of a generous gesture.· Members of the family would be buried there until the 1940s, thanks to William's generous gesture.· The Government is optimistic that Bill Clinton will use the last days of his presidency to make a generous gesture on debt.
· Many felt that a grand gesture of statesmanship was required in relation to Northern Ireland.· What a grand gesture for a small cause, I thought.· But if Jacquet de la Guerre was a mistress of the grand gesture, Campra's forte was delicate understatement.· Make the big move, make the grand gesture, do something outrageous.· Grand aims, he wrote, but no grand gestures.· The parties, at the moment, are too intransigent for the grand gesture.
· It was a nice gesture to wipe the cup.· She said payment was not necessary but perhaps a gift of twenty-one rupees would be a nice gesture.· Either way I thought it a nice gesture, and when I next caught his eye I smiled.· These were the nice little gestures that went with the setting.
· The present-day Faust smirked over towards the Professor and made an obscene gesture.· The rest are elbows delivered, punches thrown, verbally abusing referees, skipping All-Star media day, obscene gestures, tantrum-throwing.· The long legs parted as the pale blue water took her, like an obscene gesture at Liz.· Maxham held up two fingers in an obscene gesture.
· But that was largely a political gesture.· This was an important political gesture and it is glossed over here.· The allegation lends too much importance to political gestures and transparently obvious tricks.
· He was aware of an almost imperceptible withdrawing, more emotional than physical, a small delicate gesture of self-containment.· Handprints in a vast cave carry a tentative quality, a small gesture of presence.· It remained a small, symbolic gesture of anger at the official policy on education.· Occasionally, he would move one of his arms, the small gesture unnerving Leroy from unleashing a good punch.· Lois made a small feathering gesture with her hand and stamped her heel silently.
· Surely tearing up the Pope's picture was meant as a symbolic gesture, not a personal affront.· The roots of the trouble lie in Republican policies that women see as threatening. Symbolic gestures and tokenism are inadequate remedies.· Last year, in a symbolic gesture, he introduced a 20p tax band.· Such language suggests that the riots were less about forcing material change than about making symbolic gestures.· This symbolic gesture seemed to satisfy them.· But the symbolic gesture is likely to be of dubious long-term value and will depend entirely on the personalities and circumstances involved.· Or, like Parliament Square, will it occupy the terrain of a symbolic gesture, alive in legend?· The union leaders appear to be building public support for their cause, with clever use of symbolic gestures and public relations.
NOUN· The visit was a goodwill gesture to Raychem, which employs 1,300 people at its sites in Dorcan and Cheney Manor.· If this makes you uneasy, think about distributing a little preemptive baksheesh as a goodwill gesture.· She never repeated the goodwill gesture.· As a goodwill gesture, Pac Bell sent baskets of fruit to competitors welcoming them to the market.· Some training is carried out as a goodwill gesture.
· His hand gestures were slightly more generous, but there were no other signs of the wine he had drunk.· But a language, no matter how it is implemented, seems to be a language-even for pictographs or hand gestures.
VERB· But if airway going to make a gesture, it's best not to do it while airway white-hot.· Fong squatted on the floor, his back straight, his small hands raised, making quick gestures as he spoke.· She went to lean against the wall - he made a vehement negative gesture - she staggered forward again.· He made a sweeping gesture at the microphones, cameras and reporters.· The choreographer's problem is how to make subtle or vigorous gesture visible to those on the other side of the footlights.· The Government is optimistic that Bill Clinton will use the last days of his presidency to make a generous gesture on debt.· Here they make suitably valedictory gestures, by John Tenniel, October 1886.· Moran made no gesture, did not even look around him.
· Narrative dance applies to those phrases of conversation between individuals or between dancers and public, where the dancer uses explicit gestures.· Unfolding my wretched map, I used gestures to ask them to indicate our location.· In ritual usage, the manipulation and playing of the damaru must be carried out using precisely ordained gestures.· After he learns to use his behaviors and gestures to let you know what he wants, he starts using ideas.· He made signs with his hands and fingers and Corbett watched fascinated as Benstede replied using identical gestures.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[countable, uncountable] a movement of part of your body, especially your hands or head, to show what you mean or how you feelin a ... gesture (of something)- Hadn't he said that to express it would be just empty words?
- He expected her to trust him, but as far as she could see they were just empty words.
- He listens politely, then makes plausible but essentially empty gestures.
- I tried to make choices, but wound up with empty gestures.
- These are not empty words and phrases, but principles given powerful institutional sanction.
- This is the circus of empty promises and dry press releases that are part and parcel of meetings like these.
- To all these petitions the Crown returned empty promises of redress.
Jim raised his hands in a despairing gesture. Luke made an obscene gesture with his finger.gesture of She shook her head with a gesture of impatience.2[countable] something that you say or do, often something small, to show how you feel about someone or something: They decided it would be a nice gesture to send her a card. Tearing up the price list was simply a symbolic gesture.gesture of As a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to waive the charges on this occasion.gesture towards The Queen has now made a gesture towards public opinion.—gestural adjectiveCOLLOCATIONS– Meaning 1adjectivesa rude gesture· Luke made a rude gesture with his finger.an obscene gesture (=extremely rude)· The player was fined for making an obscene gesture at the referee.an angry/threatening gesture· One of the men made a threatening gesture, and I ran.verbsmake a gesture· He made a gesture of annoyance.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 2adjectivesa nice gesture· It would be a nice gesture if we gave them something to say 'thank you'.a generous gesture· He had made a very generous gesture to the school.a friendly gesture· Ella bought him a drink as a friendly gesture.a grand gesture (=something you do to make people notice you)· Love is not about grand gestures and expensive gifts.a dramatic gesture· In politics, dramatic gestures are sometimes necessary.a bold gesture (=something you do that shows you are not scared of taking risks)· Appointing one of his opponents to the government was seen as a bold gesture of reconciliation.a symbolic gesture (=something you do that shows people how you feel)· In a symbolic gesture, he renounced his $10,000 monthly presidential salary.an empty gesture (=something you do that does not achieve anything important)· The president's attempt at negotiation was an empty gesture which failed to satisfy his critics.a token gesture (=something you do so that you can pretend that you are dealing with a problem)· The inclusion of just one woman on the committee was seen as a token gesture.a conciliatory gesture (=something you do to stop someone from arguing with you)· The government made several conciliatory gestures to the protestors.phrasesa gesture of goodwill (=something you do to show you want to be helpful)· As a gesture of goodwill, customers will be offered a full refund.a gesture of friendship· He invited the two men to his house as a gesture of friendship.a gesture of support· She wrote a letter to the prime minister as a gesture of support.a gesture of solidarity (=something you do to show loyalty and support)· People sent food parcels to the strikers as a gesture of solidarity.a gesture of defiance (=something done to show that you will not do what someone tells you to do)· The rebels launched an attack as a gesture of defiance.make a gesture towards somebody/something (=do something to show that you have some respect for someone or something)· The drinks industry has made a gesture towards reducing alcohol misuse by setting up a research group.gesture1 noungesture2 verb
gesturegesture2 ●○○ verb [intransitive] VERB TABLE
gesture
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | gesture |
| he, she, it | gestures | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | gestured |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have gestured |
| he, she, it | has gestured | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had gestured |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will gesture |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have gestured |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am gesturing |
| he, she, it | is gesturing | |
| you, we, they | are gesturing | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was gesturing |
| you, we, they | were gesturing | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been gesturing |
| he, she, it | has been gesturing | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been gesturing |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be gesturing |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been gesturing |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "Please sit down," said Winters, gesturing at the chair facing his own.
- Celia began listing their recent purchases and gestured proudly to the fountain.
- I turned to see a large policeman gesturing for us to move along.
- The man was gesturing wildly, but we couldn't understand what he wanted.
- Auster opened the door wider and gestured for Quinn to enter the apartment.
- He gestured toward her sister, toward the right, toward life.
- He answered, and she pushed the door wide, and gestured him in after her.
- I watched his movements, the hands gesturing.
- Members of the Illinois delegation jumped up and began gesturing for McGovern to get off the platform, making thumbs-down motions.
- Paul gestured towards the biggest muntjac suspended from the carrying pole and made an elaborate gesture of donation.
- Sorrow warred with anger in his voice, and he gestured briskly with his muscular hands.
- Their voices were faint at this distance, but they could be seen gesturing towards the company.
Longman Language Activatora person or group of people you play against
to use your finger to show which person or thing you mean: · Children are taught that it's rude to point.point at: · "Look," she said, pointing at a vase in a shop window.· The teacher pointed at Marcus and told him to come to the front of the class.point to/ towards: · "That's Margo's bouquet, on the table.'' Mother pointed to a massive bunch of spring flowers.point your finger at: · Don't point your finger at me.
to show someone the person or thing you mean in a more polite way than pointing, for example by looking at them or moving your head slightly: · "Shall we go in here?" Calvin indicated the cafe.· "I'd like you to meet Todd," he said, indicating a tall man standing next to him.
to point towards a person or thing by holding out your hand towards them: · "I'm not going out in this weather," said Lydia, gesturing at the heavy rain outside.· "Do you see all these people here?" She gestured towards the hospital corridor.
to show someone a person or thing, especially one that they are interested to know about, by pointing: point out somebody/something: · John pointed out the building where he worked.point somebody/something out: · She wanted to know which was my house, so I pointed it out to her as we drove past.point out somebody/something to somebody: · I asked him to point out the new headteacher to me at the party.
to make a movement or sound to tell someone something to make a movement, especially with your hand, in order to tell someone something: · I'll make a sign when I'm ready.· The President made a sign to indicate that he wanted to leave.make a sign (that): · From across the room Marla made a sign that she had seen me come in.
to make a movement or sound in order to give instructions or information: · A sailor began signalling with two flags.signal to: · Graham finished his drink and signalled to the waiter.signal that: · An official signalled that it was time for the race to begin.signal somebody to do something: · Slowly he inched around the corner, signalling for the others to follow.
to make a previously agreed sign that tells someone that they should start doing something: · When I give the signal, I want you all to start clapping.give (somebody) the signal to do something: · The dog waited patiently until his master gave him the signal to eat.
to move your hand or arm from one side to the other, for example in order to get someone's attention or to tell them something: · She continued to wave as the car drove out of sight.wave at: · Who's that waving at you?wave to: · The emperor waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.wave for somebody to do something: · Yolanda waved for us to come over.wave somebody through/on (=wave to show someone that they can go through or continue their journey): · The customs officer at the border waved us through.wave goodbye (=wave to someone who is leaving): · Her parents stood in the doorway and waved goodbye.
to quickly close and open one eye, in order to show that you are joking or that you share a secret with someone: · Ben grinned at his father and winked.wink at: · "The weather's so nice, I'm thinking of calling in sick tomorrow," she said, winking at me.
to make a slight downward movement with your head to say 'yes' or 'hello' or to say that something can begin: · Rob nodded his head in agreement.· "Has he really left you?" I asked. Josie nodded miserably.nod/nod your head at/to: · The two men nodded to each other, as if they'd met before.nod/nod your head for somebody to do something: · She nodded for Mike to lead the way.
to use a movement of your hand, especially to tell someone to go to a place or to emphasize your meaning when you are saying something: · The man was gesturing wildly, but we couldn't understand what he wanted.gesture to/at: · "Please sit down," said Winters, gesturing at the chair facing his own.gesture to: · Celia began listing their recent purchases and gestured proudly to the fountain.gesture for somebody to do something: · I turned to see a large policeman gesturing for us to move along.
to use a short movement of your arm or hand to tell someone what to do or where to go: motion to: · Neil finished his meal, and then motioned to the waitress.motion for somebody to do something: · Seeing Bert in the doorway, I motioned for him to come in.motion somebody to do something: · Kemp started to object, but I motioned him to be quiet.
to use a movement of your finger or head to tell someone to come towards you: · She beckoned and he came running immediately.· He was leaning over the wall, beckoning me.beckon to: · Jan beckoned to me, but I knew better than to sit next to her.beckon somebody in/over/to etc: · "Come and look at this," he said, beckoning me over to the window.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Perhaps you should adopt a more conciliatory approach. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture. She flung her arms out in an expansive gesture. He lifted his arms in a flamboyant gesture. A ceasefire was declared as a sign of good faith. A fund was set up as a goodwill gesture to survivors and their families. Bradford made an obscene gesture.
Perhaps you should adopt a more conciliatory approach. Running away was an act of defiance against his parents. Cath spread both hands in a dismissive gesture. She flung her arms out in an expansive gesture. He lifted his arms in a flamboyant gesture. (=an action which shows that someone is a friend)· He invited us to his house as a gesture of friendship.
A ceasefire was declared as a sign of good faith. A fund was set up as a goodwill gesture to survivors and their families. (=a movement of your hand to show what you mean)· He made a rude hand gesture at the other driver.
Bradford made an obscene gesture.· They fired arrows out to sea in a symbolic gesture of defiance.
· He put his finger to his lips in a warning gesture.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Inside, I gestured wildly down to Andre who, while all dressed up, was standing around counting flies.
NOUN· He gestured abruptly to the door, dismissing the man.· Menzies gestured towards the front door and went through to draw the bolt.· I gestured through the doors, through the glass of which traffic could be seen crossing the Szabadsag Bridge.
· I watched his movements, the hands gesturing.
VERB· Sit down in the chair, Blue, says Black, gesturing with the gun to the wooden desk chair.· A bridge is a connection between two points, Peabody said gesturing with index fingers.· Nelson said, gesturing to the pay phone on the corner.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
to move your hand, arm, or head to tell someone something, or show them what you meangesture to/towards/at- Hadn't he said that to express it would be just empty words?
- He expected her to trust him, but as far as she could see they were just empty words.
- He listens politely, then makes plausible but essentially empty gestures.
- I tried to make choices, but wound up with empty gestures.
- These are not empty words and phrases, but principles given powerful institutional sanction.
- This is the circus of empty promises and dry press releases that are part and parcel of meetings like these.
- To all these petitions the Crown returned empty promises of redress.
Brad gestured towards the door. ‘Get out.’gesture for somebody to do something He gestured for her to take a seat.