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gesticuler

to gesticulate

verb zhes-tee-kü-LEH Rare
Body & Health Movement

Origin: From Latin 'gesticulari', from 'gesticulus' (little gesture).

Usage Note

Gesticuler implies excessive or agitated movement of the arms and hands while speaking. It often carries a mildly critical tone, suggesting someone is over-animated or ineffectual — il gesticule mais ne dit rien d'utile ('he waves his arms but says nothing useful'). Related noun: gesticulation.

Examples

"Il gesticule beaucoup quand il raconte une histoire."

Natural Translation

He gesticulates a lot when he tells a story.

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