gesture

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun motion of hands or body to emphasize or help to express a thought or feeling
  2. noun the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals
  3. noun something done as an indication of intention

Etymology

From Medieval Latin gestūra (“a mode of action”), from Latin gerō (“to bear; (reflexive) bear oneself, behave, act”), past participle gestus. By surface analysis, Latin gest- + -ure.

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