- gesture
- ges|ture1 W3 [ˈdʒestʃə US -ər] n[Date: 1400-1500; : Medieval Latin; Origin: gestura, from Latin gestus 'action, gesture', from gerere 'to bear']1.) [U and C]a movement of part of your body, especially your hands or head, to show what you mean or how you feelin a ... gesture (of sth)▪ 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.)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 adj▬▬▬▬▬▬▬COLLOCATES for sense 2nice gesturesymbolic gesture (=something you do to show people how you feel)grand gesture (=something you do to make people notice you)gesture of goodwill/friendshipgesture of solidarity/supportgesture of defiancemake a gesture (towards somebody/something) (=do something to show that you have some respect for someone or something)▬▬▬▬▬▬▬gesture 2gesture2 v [I]to move your hand, arm, or head to tell someone something, or show them what you meangesture to/towards/at▪ Brad gestured towards the door. 'Get out.'gesture for sb to do sth▪ He gestured for her to take a seat.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.