gesture English · revision 14978

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1410|origins=la gerō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈdʒes.tʃə/, US /ˈdʒes.tʃɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-med|gestūra|t=bearing, behaviour, mode of action]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(Hoad 1986) from [[m|la|gestus|t=gesture, carriage, posture]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[m|la|gerō|t=to bear, carry, act]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) of uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Manner of carrying the body, bearing or deportment: about 1410 in the OED, about 1400 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The original sense of bearing led to the use of posture and bodily movements for effect in oratory.^(NODE 1998) Barnhart dates the movement of the body to emphasize speech to about 1454;^(Barnhart 1988) Etymonline dates the restricted sense, a movement expressing a thought or feeling, to the 1550s, and the OED to 1551–6.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A posture or attitude, especially in prayer, is from 1533.^(OED 1989) An action done in goodwill to express a feeling, as in ''a gesture of friendship'', is from 1916.^(Etymonline) The verb is from 1542.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1410 – bearing, deportment.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1533 – a posture.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1542 – to gesture (verb).^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1551–6 – a movement of the body.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1916 – a goodwill gesture.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A movement of the hands, head or body to express an idea or feeling, especially while speaking.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something done or said as a formality or as a sign of intention: ''a political gesture''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To make gestures; to express or direct by gestures.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gestural]]

+ * [[gesturally]]

+ * [[gesturer]]

+ * [[gesticulate]]

+ * [[gesticulation]]

+ * [[ungesturing]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[jest]]

+ * [[digest]]

+ * [[register]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}