gesticulation

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an expressive movement of the hands, arms, or body, especially one made while speaking

   His sweeping gesticulation sent a glass tumbling from the table.

2. 2
   noun

   the use of vigorous bodily gestures to communicate or emphasize meaning

   Unable to speak the local language, she relied on gesticulation to explain the route.

From Middle English gesticulation and Latin gesticulatio, from gesticulari ('to make gestures'), itself based on gestus ('gesture, bearing'). The word can denote either one expressive movement or the practice of communicating through such movements.

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