We communicated mainly by signs, gesticulation and mime.
Synonyms: signalling, signing, waving, motioning More Synonyms of gesticulate
gesticulate in British English
(dʒɛˈstɪkjʊˌleɪt)
verb
to express by or make gestures
Derived forms
gesticulative (gesˈticulative)
adjective
gesticulator (gesˈticuˌlator)
noun
Word origin
C17: from Latin gesticulārī, from Latin gesticulus (unattested except in Late Latin) gesture, diminutive of gestus gesture, from gerere to bear, conduct
gesticulate in American English
(dʒɛsˈtɪkjuˌleɪt; ˈdʒɛsˈtɪkjəˌleɪt)
verb intransitiveWord forms: gesˈticuˌlated or gesˈticuˌlating
1.
to make or use gestures, esp. with the hands and arms, as in adding nuances or force to one's speech, or as a substitute for speech
verb transitive
2.
to express by gesticulating
Derived forms
gesticulative (gesˈticuˌlative)
adjective
gesticulator (gesˈticuˌlator)
noun
Word origin
< L gesticulatus, pp. of gesticulari, to make mimic gestures < gesticulus, dim. of gestus, a gesture < pp. of gerere, to bear, carry, do
Examples of 'gesticulate' in a sentence
gesticulate
He gesticulated with his shoulders and barely moved his arms.
The Sun (2010)
Everything he says is peppered with sudden howls of laughter and much gesticulating.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Every time a player came near him he was yelling and pointing and gesticulating.
The Sun (2012)
'She was shouting and gesticulating quite wildly.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
(verb)
Definition
to make expressive movements with the hands and arms, usually while talking
The man was gesticulating wildly.
Synonyms
signal
She signalled a passing taxi.
sign
She signed to me to go out.
wave
The police officer waved to us to go on.
indicate
The survey indicated that most old people are independent.
motion
She motioned for the doors to be opened.
gesture
I gestured towards the boathouse and he looked inside.
beckon
He beckoned to the waiter.
make a sign
Additional synonyms
in the sense of beckon
Definition
to summon with a gesture
He beckoned to the waiter.
Synonyms
gesture,
sign,
wave,
indicate,
signal,
nod,
motion,
summon,
gesticulate
in the sense of gesture
Definition
to make expressive movements with the hands and arms
I gestured towards the boathouse and he looked inside.
Synonyms
signal,
sign,
wave,
indicate,
motion,
beckon,
gesticulate
in the sense of indicate
Definition
to be or give a sign or symptom of
The survey indicated that most old people are independent.
Synonyms
show,
suggest,
reveal,
display,
signal,
demonstrate,
point to,
imply,
disclose,
manifest,
signify,
denote,
bespeak,
make known,
be symptomatic of,
evince (formal),
betoken,
flag up
Nearby words of
gesticulate
Germany
germinate
gestation
gesticulate
gesticulation
gesture
get
Synonyms of 'gesticulate'
gesticulate
Explore 'gesticulate' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of motion
Definition
to signal or direct a person by a movement or gesture
She motioned for the doors to be opened.
Synonyms
gesture,
direct,
wave,
signal,
nod,
beckon,
gesticulate
in the sense of sign
Definition
to make a sign to someone so as to convey an idea or information
She signed to me to go out.
Synonyms
gesture,
indicate,
signal,
wave,
beckon,
gesticulate,
use sign language
in the sense of wave
Definition
to direct (someone) to move in a particular direction by waving