Gesticulate Meaning and Definition
Gesticulate
Pronunciation
/əsˌtɪkjʊˈleɪt/
Part of Speech
Verb
Definition
To use the hands and arms to convey meaning, often to reinforce or emphasize spoken words or emotions.
Examples
- He gesticulated wildly as he tried to explain the complicated concept.
- Her dramatic gesticulations added to the emotional intensity of the performance.
Synonyms
- Mimic
- Illustrate
Antonyms
- Conceal
- Suppress
Etymology
The word “gesticulate” comes from the Latin “gestire”, meaning “to move” or “to act”, and the suffix “-ulate”, which forms a verb that indicates movement or action.
Usage Notes
Gesticulate is often used in informal settings, such as in conversation or during a presentation.
Cultural References
The term has been featured in various films, TV shows, and literature, often to describe characters’ over-the-top or dramatic behaviors.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
“Gesticulate like a lunatic” is an idiomatic phrase used to describe someone who is acting wildly or erratically.
Related Words or Phrases
Related phrases include “speaking hands” or “manual dialogue”, which describe the act of using the hands to convey meaning.
Collocations
Collocations include “gesticulate while speaking”, “gesticulate enthusiastically”, or “gesticulate animatedly”, which describe the tone or manner in which someone uses their hands.
Frequency of Use
The frequency of use for the word “gesticulate” is moderate, with a slight increase in usage in recent years.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings include “gesticalte”, “gestical”, or “gesticalation”, which are often due to the word’s similarity to other words with similar prefixes or suffixes.