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gesticulation

noun/ˌdʒɛs.tɪˈkjuː.leɪ.ʃən/

definition

a gesture made to express meaning or emphasize speech

example

His gesticulation became increasingly animated as he described the excitement of the adventure.

synonyms
gesturesignmotion
word origin — The word 'gesticulation' comes from the Latin 'gesticulatio', which is derived from 'gesticulari', meaning 'to gesticulate', from 'gesticulus', meaning 'a movement or gesture'.

SAT Vocabulary Level 3 — Set 83

Set 83 of SAT Vocabulary Level 3 covers 5 words: gesticulation, universality, idolatry, skiff, contagion. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

  1. gesticulation · noun/ˌdʒɛs.tɪˈkjuː.leɪ.ʃən/

    a gesture made to express meaning or emphasize speech

    His gesticulation became increasingly animated as he described the excitement of the adventure.

    Synonyms: gesture, sign, motion

    Origin: The word 'gesticulation' comes from the Latin 'gesticulatio', which is derived from 'gesticulari', meaning 'to gesticulate', from 'gesticulus', meaning 'a movement or gesture'.

  2. universality · noun/ˌju.nɪˈvɛr.səl.ɪ.ti/

    the quality of being applicable in all cases or situations

    The universality of human rights means that they apply to all people, regardless of race or nationality.

    Synonyms: applicability, generality, universality

    Origin: from Latin 'universalitas', from 'universalis', meaning 'of the whole' or 'universal'

  3. idolatry · noun/aɪˈdɑː.lə.tri/

    the worship of idols or physical objects as gods

    The ancient civilization was steeped in idolatry, worshipping numerous statues crafted from stone and gold as representations of their gods.

    Synonyms: idol worship, image worship, fetishism

    Origin: from Middle English 'idolatrie', from Old French 'idolatrie', from Latin 'idolatria', from Greek 'eidololatria' - 'eidolon' (idol) + 'latreia' (worship)

  4. skiff · noun/skɪf/

    a small, narrow boat designed for one or a few people

    After a long day of fishing, they returned to the shore in their small skiff, proud of their catch.

    Synonyms: boat, canoe, dinghy

    Origin: The word 'skiff' comes from Middle Dutch 'schif,' which means 'ship' or 'boat.'

  5. contagion · noun/kənˈteɪ.dʒən/

    the transmission of a disease orInfluence from one person to another

    The rapid contagion of the virus prompted health officials to implement strict quarantine measures.

    Synonyms: infection, contagiveness, influence

    Origin: Late Middle English from Latin 'contagionem', from 'contagiare' meaning 'to touch or to infect'