Gesture

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Gesture

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

noun and verb

Pronunciation

JES-chuh  /ˈdʒɛstʃə/

Definition

As a noun: a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or head, to express an idea or meaning; an action performed to convey a feeling or intention. As a verb: to make such a movement.

Plain meaning

A gesture is a meaningful body movement — a wave, a nod, a shrug. To gesture means to make such a movement. A gesture can also be a symbolic action — a gesture of goodwill.

Register

Neutral and extremely wide-ranging. Gesture covers everything from a simple hand movement to a significant symbolic action. In diplomacy and politics, the word carries weight: a gesture can signal an entire policy shift.