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Behaviour vs Gesture - What's the difference?

behaviour | gesture |

As nouns the difference between behaviour and gesture

is that behaviour is the way a living creature behaves or acts while gesture is a motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.

As a verb gesture is

to make a gesture or gestures.

behaviour

English

Alternative forms

* (US) * (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The way a living creature behaves or acts.
  • She can't stop the strange behaviour because she has OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
  • * 2014 , A teacher, " Choosing a primary school: a teacher's guide for parents", The Guardian , 23 September 2014:
  • Teachers will probably be on their best behaviour for your visit – but don't be upset if they don't even notice you; they've got enough going on.
  • The way a device or system operates.
  • Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "behaviour" include: human, animal, physical, chemical, mechanical, electrical, organizational, corporate, social, collective, parental, interpersonal, sexual, criminal, appropriate, inappropriate, correct, incorrect, right, wrong, good, bad, acceptable, unacceptable, poor, ethical, unethical, moral, immoral, responsible, irresponsible, normal, odd, deviant, abnormal, violent, abusive, aggressive, offensive, defensive, rude, stupid, undesirable, verbal, nonverbal, learned, professional, unprofessional, adaptive, compulsive, questionable, assertive, disgusting, self-destructive.

    Derived terms

    * human behaviour

    gesture

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech.
  • The middle-finger gesture is really a nonverbal swear.
    This Web browser can be controlled with mouse gestures .
  • * Milton
  • Grace was in all her steps, heaven in her eye, / In every gesture dignity and love.
  • An act or a remark made as a formality or as a sign of attitude.
  • We took flowers as a gesture of sympathy.
  • * '>citation
  • (obsolete) The manner of carrying the body; position of the body or limbs; posture.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
  • Accubation, or lying down at meals, was a gesture used by many nations.

    Verb

  • To make a gesture or gestures.
  • My dad said to never gesture with my hands when I talk.
    Never gesture at someone with a middle finger.
  • To express something by a gesture or gestures.
  • He gestured his disgust.
  • To accompany or illustrate with gesture or action.
  • * Hooker
  • It is not orderly read, nor gestured as beseemeth.

    Synonyms

    * gesticulate

    Hyponyms

    * beckon

    See also

    *