gestus Latin · revision 31680

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=190–159 BC, Terence|origins=ine-pro *h₂eǵ-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * Classical: [ˈɡɛs.tʊs]^(Wiktionary)

+ * Ecclesiastical: [ˈd͡ʒɛs.tus]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''gestus''' ''m'' (genitive gestūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is an action noun from [[gerō|t=to carry, conduct]] with the suffix [[m|la|-tus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) De Vaan traces ⟨gerō⟩ to [[itc-pro|*gesō|alt=*ges-e/o-|t=to carry]] and [[ine-pro|*h₂eǵ-|alt=*h2ǵ-es-|t=to carry]], an extension of the root of [[agō]], a connection accepted since the laryngeal theory.^(de Vaan 2008) He notes that the sense “gesture” of this noun lies behind [[gestiō|t=to be eager, exult]], originally “to make wild gestures”.^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ De Vaan and Köbler date it from Terence,^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) whose ''Phormio'' has “now I must put on a new posture and face”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It is movement of the body and limbs, carriage, posture, as in Titinius and in dancing (Propertius).^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) Its classic use is for the gestures that support the spoken word, of actors such as Roscius in Cicero and of orators, for whom delivery is the control of voice, face and gesture.^(OLD 2012) It is also a sign made without words, and in the jurist Ulpian the carrying out of a business.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ In medieval sources it means an action or deed, and management or administration.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 190–159 BC – Terence of a posture.^(OLD 2012)^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero of the actor Roscius' gestures.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * before 223 AD – Ulpian of carrying out a business.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * early 15th century – English [[m|en|gesture]] comes from Medieval Latin ⟨gestura⟩, from this noun.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Bodily movement; [[m|en|carriage]], [[m|en|posture]].^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A [[m|en|gesture]] accompanying speech, in acting and oratory.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Wiktionary)

+ # A sign made without words.^(OLD 2012)

+ # The carrying out of a business.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' An action, deed; management, administration.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[gesticulus]]

+ * [[gestuōsus]]

+ * [[gestiō]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[gerō]]

+ * [[en|gesture]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ ''Gestus, -a, -um'' is also the past participle of [[gerō]], as in ''rēs gestae'' “deeds, achievements”.^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}