noun

il gesto

gesture

Un movimento del corpo, di solito della mano o del braccio, usato per mostrare un’emozione o un’intenzione.

Definition & meaning

Gesto means gesture: a movement of the hand, head, or body used to express an idea, emotion, or intention.

It can also mean an act or deed, especially one that expresses a feeling or has symbolic significance, such as a gesture of kindness.

Grammar & Word origin

Gesto is a masculine noun. Its plural is gesti .

It comes from Latin gestus, meaning “movement” or “bearing,” related to gerere, “to carry” or “to perform.”

Synonyms & antonyms

  • movimento — “movement”; broader than gesto, as it need not express anything.
  • segno — “sign”; broader, and not necessarily a physical movement.
  • atto — “act”; similar when gesto refers to a deed, but more general and often more formal.
  • azione — “action”; broader and does not necessarily carry the expressive or symbolic sense of gesto.

There is no direct antonym that applies to all meanings of gesto.

Common phrases & collocations

  • fare un gesto — to make a gesture.
  • un gesto di gentilezza — an act of kindness.
  • un gesto simbolico — a symbolic gesture.
  • un gesto affettuoso — an affectionate gesture.

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Examples

Il tuo gesto è molto gentile.noun

Your gesture is very kind.

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