gesture

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++ges·ture1 /ˈdʒestʃə $ -ər/ ●●○ noun  1  [countable, uncountable]SIGN/GESTURE a movement of part of your body, especially your hands or head, to show what you mean or how you feel 手势，姿势in a ... gesture (of something) Jim raised his hands in a despairing gesture. 吉姆举起双手，做出绝望的手势。 Luke made an obscene gesture with his finger. 卢克用手指做了一个下流的手势。gesture of She shook her head with a gesture of impatience. 她不耐烦地摇了摇头。2  [countable]SIGN/GESTUREFRIENDLY something that you say or do, often something small, to show how you feel about someone or something 表示，姿态 They decided it would be a nice gesture to send her a card. 他们认为给她寄一张卡片会是一种友好的表示。 Tearing up the price list was simply a symbolic gesture. 撕碎价格表只是一种象征性的表示。gesture of As a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to waive the charges on this occasion. 这次我们已经决定撤诉，以示友好。gesture towards The Queen has now made a gesture towards public opinion. 女王现在摆出了尊重民意的姿态。 —gestural adjectiven COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a movement of part of your body, especially your hands or head, to show what you mean or how you feeladjectivesa rude gestureLuke made a rude gesture with his finger.an obscene gesture (=extremely rude)The player was fined for making an obscene gesture at the referee.an angry/threatening gestureOne of the men made a threatening gesture, and I ran.verbsmake a gestureHe made a gesture of annoyance.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: something that you say or do, often something small, to show how you feel about someone or somethingadjectivesa nice gestureIt would be a nice gesture if we gave them something to say 'thank you'.a generous gestureHe had made a very generous gesture to the school.a friendly gestureElla bought him a drink as a friendly gesture.a grand gesture (=something you do to make people notice you)Love is not about grand gestures and expensive gifts.a dramatic gestureIn politics, dramatic gestures are sometimes necessary.a bold gesture (=something you do that shows you are not scared of taking risks)Appointing one of his opponents to the government was seen as a bold gesture of reconciliation.a symbolic gesture (=something you do that shows people how you feel)In a symbolic gesture, he renounced his $10,000 monthly presidential salary.an empty gesture (=something you do that does not achieve anything important)The president's attempt at negotiation was an empty gesture which failed to satisfy his critics.a token gesture (=something you do so that you can pretend that you are dealing with a problem)The inclusion of just one woman on the committee was seen as a token gesture.a conciliatory gesture (=something you do to stop someone from arguing with you)The government made several conciliatory gestures to the protestors.phrasesa gesture of goodwill (=something you do to show you want to be helpful)As a gesture of goodwill, customers will be offered a full refund.a gesture of friendshipHe invited the two men to his house as a gesture of friendship.a gesture of supportShe wrote a letter to the prime minister as a gesture of support.a gesture of solidarity (=something you do to show loyalty and support)People sent food parcels to the strikers as a gesture of solidarity.a gesture of defiance (=something done to show that you will not do what someone tells you to do)The rebels launched an attack as a gesture of defiance.make a gesture towards somebody/something (=do something to show that you have some respect for someone or something)The drinks industry has made a gesture towards reducing alcohol misuse by setting up a research group.

Examples from the Corpus

gesture• Instead, he patted the man's arm once in a gesture of thanks.• The visit was a goodwill gesture to Raychem, which employs 1,300 people at its sites in Dorcan and Cheney Manor.• Her gestures were emphatic but, from a distance, did not appear threatening or abusive.• Someone in another car started making gestures and pointing at our tires.• Words take second place to nonverbal cues, personal mannerisms, gestures, expressions, and overall appearance.• The flowers were really a nice gesture.• The fight started when one of the fans made a rude gesture at a player.• These relatively complex communicative demands establish the conditions in which simple gestures, such as pointing, are particularly useful.• It was one of their gestures, he supposed.• Mrs Bay was speaking loudly, flailing her arms in wild gestures.in a ... gesture (of something)• In a rare public gesture of support, Clinton personally escorted Fujimori to his waiting limousine.• Eline rushed over and hugged Carys in an uncharacteristic gesture of affection.• These relatively complex communicative demands establish the conditions in which simple gestures, such as pointing, are particularly useful.• Twenty minutes later he returned, shaking his head in a universal gesture.• The horses were watching him and raised their large heads in a gesture of horse-interest.• Augusta resumed her pacing, throwing her hands outward in little distracted gestures.• With arms and hands constantly raised in gesture and emphasis, he pleads with viewers not to forget the edges.• Last year, in a symbolic gesture, he introduced a 20p tax band.nice gesture• Nice gesture, Cameron, she thought.• She said payment was not necessary but perhaps a gift of twenty-one rupees would be a nice gesture.• Either way I thought it a nice gesture, and when I next caught his eye I smiled.• It was a nice gesture to wipe the cup.gesture2 ●○○ verb [intransitive]  SIGN/GESTUREPOINT ATto move your hand, arm, or head to tell someone something, or show them what you mean 做手势，用动作示意gesture to/towards/at Brad gestured towards the door. ‘Get out.’ 布拉德指着门口说﹕“出去。”gesture for somebody to do something He gestured for her to take a seat. 他示意她坐下。→ See Verb table

Examples from the Corpus

gesture• I watched his movements, the hands gesturing.• "Please sit down, " said Winters, gesturing at the chair facing his own.• Sorrow warred with anger in his voice, and he gestured briskly with his muscular hands.• Members of the Illinois delegation jumped up and began gesturing for McGovern to get off the platform, making thumbs-down motions.• Auster opened the door wider and gestured for Quinn to enter the apartment.• I turned to see a large policeman gesturing for us to move along.• He answered, and she pushed the door wide, and gestured him in after her.• Celia began listing their recent purchases and gestured proudly to the fountain.• He gestured toward her sister, toward the right, toward life.• Paul gestured towards the biggest muntjac suspended from the carrying pole and made an elaborate gesture of donation.• Their voices were faint at this distance, but they could be seen gesturing towards the company.• The man was gesturing wildly, but we couldn't understand what he wanted.gesture to/towards/at• The descriptions, far from gesturing to an external or subjective reality, merely affirm their own status as verbally constructed artefacts.• Unfolding my wretched map, I used gestures to ask them to indicate our location.• So often as parents, 121 we see our children gesturing towards doing something.• The mock-Stealer gestured at her snout clad in syn-skin.• Under these circumstances at least a gesture towards listening to the local people has been made.• A necessary gesture to moisten the dryness in her throat.• A sense of rebellion, a gesture towards the exit.Origin gesture1 (1400-1500) Medieval Latin gestura, from Latin gestus “action, gesture”, from gerere “to bear”

ges·ture1 noun →n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2gesture2 verbLDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable  

your of Corpus a movement part of

gesture

I

ges‧ture¹ /ˈdʒestʃə $ -ər/ noun1. [uncountable and countable] a movement of part of your body, especially your hands or head, to show what you mean or how you feel
    in a ... gesture (of something)
    Jim raised his hands in a despairing gesture.
    Luke made an obscene gesture with his finger.
    gesture of
    She shook her head with a gesture of impatience.
2. [countable] something that you say or do, often something small, to show how you feel about someone or something:
    They decided it would be a nice gesture to send her a card.
    Tearing up the price list was simply a symbolic gesture.
    gesture of
    As a gesture of goodwill, we have decided to waive the charges on this occasion.
    gesture towards
    The Queen has now made a gesture towards public opinion.
—gestural adjective
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 1)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a rude gesture Luke made a rude gesture with his finger.
   ▪ an obscene gesture (=extremely rude) The player was fined for making an obscene gesture at the referee.
   ▪ an angry/threatening gesture One of the men made a threatening gesture, and I ran.
■ verbs
   ▪ make a gesture He made a gesture of annoyance.
     

COLLOCATIONS

(for Meaning 2)

■ adjectives
   ▪ a nice gesture It would be a nice gesture if we gave them something to say 'thank you'.
   ▪ a generous gesture He had made a very generous gesture to the school.
   ▪ a friendly gesture Ella bought him a drink as a friendly gesture.
   ▪ a grand gesture (=something you do to make people notice you) Love is not about grand gestures and expensive gifts.
   ▪ a dramatic gesture In politics, dramatic gestures are sometimes necessary.
   ▪ a bold gesture (=something you do that shows you are not scared of taking risks) Appointing one of his opponents to the government was seen as a bold gesture of reconciliation.
   ▪ a symbolic gesture (=something you do that shows people how you feel) In a symbolic gesture, he renounced his $10,000 monthly presidential salary.
   ▪ an empty gesture (=something you do that does not achieve anything important) The President's attempt at negotiation was an empty gesture which failed to satisfy his critics.
   ▪ a token gesture (=something you do so that you can pretend that you are dealing with a problem) The inclusion of just one woman on the committee was seen as a token gesture.
   ▪ a conciliatory gesture (=something you do to stop someone from arguing with you) The government made several conciliatory gestures to the protestors.
■ phrases
   ▪ a gesture of goodwill (=something you do to show you want to be helpful) As a gesture of goodwill, customers will be offered a full refund.
   ▪ a gesture of friendship He invited the two men to his house as a gesture of friendship.
   ▪ a gesture of support She wrote a letter to the Prime Minister as a gesture of support.
   ▪ a gesture of solidarity (=something you do to show loyalty and support) People sent food parcels to the strikers as a gesture of solidarity.
   ▪ a gesture of defiance (=something done to show that you will not do what someone tells you to do) The rebels launched an attack as a gesture of defiance.
   ▪ make a gesture towards somebody/something (=do something to show that you have some respect for someone or something) The drinks industry has made a gesture towards reducing alcohol misuse by setting up a research group.
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ action noun [countable] something that someone does: He is responsible for his own actions. | They refused to give a reason for their actions.
   ▪ act noun [countable] a particular type of action: violent acts | act of violence/kindness/defiance etc: I believe the killing was an act of desperation.
   ▪ activities noun [plural] things that people do, especially for enjoyment or to achieve an aim: leisure activities | political activities | Surveys may not give a true picture of people’s activities.
   ▪ behaviour British English, behavior American English noun [uncountable] the things that someone does and the way they behave: Do you think that advertisements really influence people’s behaviour? | The man’s behaviour seemed rather odd.
   ▪ move noun [countable] something that you do in order to achieve something: Her decision to sell the shares had been a smart move. | It’s a bold move to start a business in the current economic climate. | He needed time to figure out his next move.
   ▪ step noun [countable] one of a series of things that you do in order to deal with a problem or to succeed: The first step is to make sure we have got funding for the project. | We must take steps to make sure that this does not happen again. | This is an important step towards peace.
   ▪ measure noun [countable] an official action that is intended to deal with a particular problem: There are increased security measures at airports. | The school was closed as a precautionary measure following a chemical leak.
   ▪ gesture noun [countable] something that you do to show how you feel about someone or something: Do you think it would be a nice gesture to send her some flowers? | gesture of goodwill/solidarity/defiance: The company gave us £100 as a gesture of goodwill.
   ▪ deed noun [countable] especially literary an action, especially one that is very good or very bad: evil deeds | heroic deeds | This is my good deed for the day.
   ▪ exploits noun [plural] formal exciting or brave actions: daring exploits | His exploits were legendary.
   ▪ feat noun [countable] something someone does that people admire because you need a lot of skill, courage, or strength to do it: Completing a marathon is a remarkable feat for a six-year-old. | The bridge is a great feat of engineering.

II

gesture² verb [intransitive]
to move your hand, arm, or head to tell someone something, or show them what you mean
    gesture to/towards/at
    Brad gestured towards the door. ‘Get out.’
    gesture for somebody to do something
    He gestured for her to take a seat.