I. 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 cast
1. 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 gesticulation
5. : 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 verb
1. : 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