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Gesture vs Behavior - What's the difference?

gesture | behavior | Related terms |

As nouns the difference between gesture and behavior

is that gesture is a motion of the limbs or body, especially one made to emphasize speech while behavior is human conduct relative to social norms.

As a verb gesture

is to make a gesture or gestures.

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

    *

    behavior

    English

    Alternative forms

    * behaviour (everywhere except US) * (l), (l), (l), (l)

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • (uncountable) Human conduct relative to social norms.
  • (uncountable) The way a living creature behaves or acts generally.
  • (uncountable, informal) A state of probation about one's conduct.
  • He was on his best behavior when her family visited.
  • (countable) An instance of the way a living creature behaves.
  • (countable, uncountable, biology, psychology) Observable response produced by an organism.
  • (uncountable) The way a device or system operates.
  • Usage notes

    * Adjectives often applied to "behavior": 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.